In a big boost for the Indian contingent, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) accepted Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday. The ace wrestler might clinch a silver medal if the CAS asks the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to revoke their decision.
Phogat stormed into the final after three sensational wins in the women's 50kg category and boosted India's hopes for the first gold at the 33rd Summer Games. But the organisers stunned the Indian contingent by disqualifying the wrestler hours before her final bout against the USA's Sarah Hildebrandt on Wednesday citing an overweight reason.
The IOA revealed that the 29-year-old wrestler from Haryana weighed just 100gm over her category and was denied a silver as well. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and IOA strongly protested against the disqualification and the wrestler approached the Court of Arbitration on Wednesday.
Frustrated and disappointed Phogat then shocked the sporting fraternity with her shock retirement from wrestling earlier on Thursday.
Meanwhile, India's wrestling camp suffered more blows with youngster Antim Panghal being knocked out in her first round in the women's 53kg category. Antim further fell into trouble after her sister was caught entering the athletes' village using Antim's accreditation on Wednesday. The IOA ordered Antim and her team to leave Paris early on Thursday in a major controversy for the Indian contingent.
India has struggled in the second week in Paris with just three bronze medals, all in shooting so far. Mirabai Chanu was the latest to miss out on a medal on Wednesday after she finished fourth in the women's 49kg weightlifting event. She lifted a total of 199 kg and missed the top-three finish by just one kg. India's hopes for medals stay alive with the men's hockey team playing Spain for bronze and Neeraj Chopra featuring in the javelin final on Thursday.
