Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympics final disqualification raises eyebrows, netizens abuzz over 'clear conspiracy'

By Sunita Iyer | First Published Aug 7, 2024, 12:55 PM IST

In a surprising and controversial turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 on Wednesday after being found overweight before her highly anticipated women's 50kg final. The news has sparked outrage and suspicion among Indian fans and athletes, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding her disqualification.

Totally heart broken by the news of Vinesh Phogat being disqualified

I cannot imagine how painful & difficult it might be for her.. Can only say that everyone stands with Bharat ki Beti..

विनेश फोगाट को अयोग्य घोषित किए जाने की खबर से पूरी तरह टूट गया हूं।' मैं कल्पना नहीं कर… pic.twitter.com/QEYWfp4nJO

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind)

Massive heartbreak for Vinesh Phogat and team India. 💔

- She was unstoppable, she ensured at least a silver for India, but now she's disqualified because of weighing a few grams over 50 KG. A cruel end of Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/n7lWR0gvTk

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

This is Conspiracy ... 🧵

Vinesh Phogat has not been disqualified but has been made to do so.

This is a conspiracy to stop Vinesh.

Have our own people fallen so low ? pic.twitter.com/zJTQbPU23z

— Harsh Tiwari (@harsht2024)

Vinesh, who made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in this category, was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit during the weigh-in on Wednesday morning. According to the rules, athletes must strictly adhere to their weight category, and even a slight deviation can lead to disqualification. Despite efforts by the Indian team throughout the night, Vinesh could not meet the required weight, resulting in her elimination from the competition.

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An Indian coach expressed the team's disappointment, stating, "She was found overweight by 100 grams this morning. The rules do not allow this, and she has been disqualified."

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) later confirmed the development and requested privacy for Vinesh, who was competing in her third Olympics. The IOA's statement read, "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning."

The Indian team, while requesting privacy for Vinesh, emphasized their focus on the remaining competitions. "No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you to respect Vinesh's privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand," the IOA added.

Vinesh Phogat demonstrated exceptional skill and determination as she advanced to the finals. On Tuesday, she secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinals, guaranteeing herself at least a silver medal. The bout began strategically, with Phogat taking advantage of Lopez's passivity to score the first technical point. She further extended her lead with four additional points in the second period, securing her place in the final.

Earlier in the tournament, Phogat achieved notable victories, defeating reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan and Ukraine's eighth seed Oksana Livach. Her journey was particularly significant, given her previous quarter-final exits in the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Fans and experts alike are puzzled by the timing of the weight issue, especially after three intense bouts in the tournament. The sudden weight gain has led to suspicions of sabotage or other factors that may have contributed to the discrepancy. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of support for Vinesh, along with calls for a thorough investigation into the incident.

"Some kind of conspiracy," wrote one suspicious user on X.

Another added, "There has to be something more to it, 100 grams," while a third user remarked, "Can't accept this. Something fishy."

"What Organizers were doing when she got selected and won 3 Matches in a Day ? India Should Boycott Olympics. Lets see what Vishwa Guru will do now to undo this decision! Disappointed," said a fourth user.

Here's a look at how Indians flooded X following Vinesh's shocking disqualification from the gold bout:

Was there any conspiracy behind this?

Was given any such drink, if yes then on whose instructions?

Because many big people were not happy with 's victory and wanted her to be pic.twitter.com/mHXduKNxez

— Farid_Raza_🇮🇳 (@farid_hingorja)

Vinesh Phogat disqualified from Olympics final for being overweight by 100 grams

This failure by management will go down as biggest sports conspiracy in history of India

You cannot make this up

— Sumit Behal (@sumitkbehal)

I smell a conspiracy in the Vinesh Phogat case!! After all, 100G is also a weight! Why did you check after the match and not before? pic.twitter.com/pOhyRgmNqR

— सी एस यादव (@csy1085)

Vinesh Phogat was so close to winning gold, and now she’s left with no medal at all. What incredibly bad luck! This is such a crushing blow.
Is there a conspiracy? It feels like referees and officials are unfairly targeting Indian athletes this Olympics. pic.twitter.com/ikOT4X7b2q

— Kuch Bhi!!!! (@KirkutExpert99)

After coming to final in wrestling disqualifying from is highly objectionable.
What did they do while she played with so many wrestlers till finals ?
International conspiracy against pic.twitter.com/UNObg4YnGD

— Judson Bakka Official (@zson_bakka)

See 👀 the traiter of india,

For the first time in my life, I am seeing how the country's own players are being prevented from bringing a medal. This is unprecedented. There is definitely some conspiracy in this. pic.twitter.com/ZFcxLL0cAy

— राकेश चौहान (@rakesh957259)

Can’t believe.

How can someone gain weight after fighting 3 bouts in a day. What she ate ki kuch ghanto me hi weight badh gya. I am smelling something else to be honest. pic.twitter.com/cJrxBFt57J

— Mohit Raghav 🇮🇳 (@RMohit89)

This year Olympic is more like a Gully-Cricket thing,
Twist the rules as per your convenience.

— Vaibhav Anita Singh (@VaibhvWrites)

Vinesh Phogat getting disqualification from Olympics is so suspicious & disgusting.

Filthy people in govt, they can’t stand people shaming them. May be part of govt toolkit.

— Ankit Tak (@trippyankit)

Won't be surprised if this weight thing was a sabotage...

— Ayan Sengupta (@ayan_sg)

India should lodge a strong protest!!!!!!!

This is unacceptable...

— Abhishek (@abaranwal1802)

We must lodge a strong protest, make noise about this..... She's won fair and square.... This is absolute nonsense
💔💔💔

— Parag (@paragp)

This is intentionally i think...

— Sachin Tiwari (@GreatTiwari80)

some kind of conspiracy

— Kaniyan Poongunran (@Poongunrann)

All this smells of a deeper and larger conspiracy against

Hoping it gets unravelled sooner rather than later.

Shocked, saddened and in solidarity with the legend. May you get justice both locally and internationally.

Stay as strong as you have always been🇮🇳

— Rahul Mehra (@TheRahulMehra)

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