Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla flagged that Vinesh Phogat had always participated in the 53 kg category before she made the switch to 50 kg.
Phogat found to be 100 gm overweight hours before final match
Dismissing conspiracy theories behind wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Olympics, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla said the issue was a matter of "technicality" and should not be politicised.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sumariwalla flagged that Phogat had always participated in the 53 kg category before she made the switch to 50 kg.
Phogat, who was to compete for the gold medal on Wednesday in the women's 50 kg final against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, was disqualified by the event organisers as she was found to be 100 gm overweight hours before the match.
"There is no conspiracy. If you are overweight, you are overweight. It's a technicality. She always fought in the higher category and had to cut down on her weight. In such scenarios, there is always a chance of missing the 50 kg mark. There is no relaxation for excess weight," Sumariwalla said.
The athletics body chief said Phogat, the first Indian woman to qualify for an Olympic wrestling final, just about made the 50 kg category at the weigh-in on Tuesday morning.
"After a weigh-in is over, you are allowed to eat and drink. It must be remembered that she had three strong back-to-back bouts, including one over defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki. She had to eat between her bouts to get her energy and strength back," he said. Phogat blazed a trail in the Olympics, defeating four-time world champion Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki in the first round and then taking down Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-final.
However, on the intervening night of Wednesday, it was found that Phogat was overweight. Sumariwalla said every single effort was made by the medical team the whole night to bring her weight below 50 kg.
"Phogat and her trainers, including the doctors, stayed up all night to reduce her weight. They put her in a sauna and made her run. In the morning during her weigh-in, she was found to be overweight by a few grams. After that, a 15-minute window is given. The doctors also got her to cut her hair to reduce weight," he said.
GRACE PERIOD RULES
On allegations by boxer Vijender Singh that no grace period was granted to Phogat, Sumariwalla said such a relaxation is only allowed if an athlete is injured.
"If anyone gets injured in the previous bout, then only grace period is allowed. Phogat did not suffer any injury and there was no option of faking an injury. India will never do that," he said.
As per the rules, any wrestler found overweight at the time of weigh-in ends up at the bottom of the final standings. Thus, despite trailblazing performances in the lead up to the final match, Phogat will return home without a medal.
As the news of Phogat's disqualification emerged, a section of social media erupted with conspiracy theories, linking it to her involvement in protests against BJP leader and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan.
Last year, Phogat was the face of protests in the national capital against Brij Bhushan after several wrestlers accused him of sexual harassment and intimidation.
Reacting to it, the athletics body chief said, "I am reading that there is some conspiracy theory... there are different rules in different sports and to create any sort of political issue out of this is wrong."
Earlier in the day, boxer and Olympic medallist Vijender Singh said Phogat was a victim of a "conspiracy". He said in such events, weight control was the first on the priority list.
"It's a huge conspiracy against India and Indian wrestlers. Maybe some people couldn't digest the happiness. We can reduce five to six kg in one night, so what’s the problem with 100 grams? I feel that someone had some problems and so the step to disqualify was taken," Vijender told India Today.
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