Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) concluded a hearing regarding Vinesh Phogat's plea against disqualification on Friday and is expected to announce the final verdict soon. The ace Indian wrestler approached the CAS to appeal for a silver medal after being shockingly disqualified hours before her final bout in the women's 50kg category at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.
Indian supporters are eagerly waiting for a verdict as many feel the wrestler deserves a silver regardless of the rules. Vinesh stormed into the finals fighting tough odds as she stunned the reigning champion and five-time world champion Yui Susaki in her first game and then defeated two former world champions.
But the 29-year-old Vinesh weighed 100 gm more a few hours before her final clash against USA's Sarah Hildebrandt on Wednesday. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW) justified the rules after disqualifying the Indian wrestler.
However, the Indian supporters and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed their disappointment after Vinesh was denied a silver. Vinesh appealed for silver in a plea against the UWW and IOC at the Court of Arbitration for Sports on Thursday.
Indian Olympic Association hopeful of a positive resolution
Earlier on Friday, the CAS confined the hearing date and time and revealed that it will announce a verdict before the end of the Paris Olympics. After the hearing on Friday, the IOA expressed that they are hopeful of a 'positive resolution'.
"Indian Olympic Association remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application before the Ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weigh-in on the second day of her Women’s Wrestling 50kg competition in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games," the IOA statement said. "Since the matter is sub-judice, IOA can only state that the Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) heard all parties applicant Vinesh Phogat, the respondents United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee as well as IOA as an interested party over three hours."
The IOA chief PT Usha also confirmed unwavering support for a retired Indian wrestler after the hearing on Friday.
“IOA deems its duty to back Vinesh and would like to reaffirm its steadfast, unflinching, and unwavering support to her, regardless of the outcome of this matter. We are proud of her countless achievements on the wrestling mat throughout her stellar career,” PT Usha said.
The Indian contingent has won one silver and four bronze medals at the 33rd Summer Games ahead of wrestler Aman Sehrawat's bronze medal match in the men's 57kg category on Friday.
