Paris (France): Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha shared a huge update on Vinesh Phogat after the wrestler's disqualification from the women's 50kg wrestling final at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics here on Wednesday.
In a big blow to India's medal hopes from the wrestling arena, Vinesh was disqualified for breaching the weight mark by 100 grams. In place of Vinesh, her semi-finalist rivan Cuban Yusneylis Guzman Lopez will to take on the United States's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the Gold Medal match today.
Speaking at a press conference, PT Usha said that she was "shocked and disappointed" after knowing about Vinesh Phogat's disqualification. The IOA president also mentioned that Vinesh is mentally disappointed, adding that the Indian support staff are with Vinesh and working with her to reduce her weight.
She further added that the support staff of the Indian contingent are with the Indian grappler and helping her to reduce weight and clarified that she met the 29-year-old at the Olympic village's polyclinic and the grappler is doing fine.
"After hearing the news that Vinesh Phogat is disqualified, I am shocked and disappointed. I had come here to meet Vinesh, she is physically and medically okay. Yes, mentally she is disappointed. Our support staffs are all with her to reduce the weight, they are trying their best...," Vinesh Phogat had entered the Gold Medal bout after beating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, India can continue to hope for medals from the athletics arena. Athlete Avinash Sable will be taking part in the 3000 Metre Steeplechase final on Thursday. Mirabai Chanu will also be in action tonight where she will be seen competing in the Women's 49 KG category in Weightlifting.
Currently, the Indian contingent has won three bronze medals at the Paris Olympics and all of them came in shooting.India had the chance to win more medals but failed to clinch after finishing at the fourth place in 10m air rifle, 25m pistol, skeet team, badminton singles and mixed archery team events.
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