In a surprising turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from competing in the wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024 due to being overweight by a mere 100 grams. This unexpected elimination dashed her hopes of becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final match, leaving fans and celebrities shocked and disappointed.
Following the announcement, several prominent personalities, including Elvish Yadav and Sourabh Raaj Jain, expressed their dismay over the decision. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Pooja Bhatt praised Vinesh Phogat as a “winner,” despite the disqualification. The former Bigg Boss OTT 2 contestant tweeted, “She is still a winner in my eyes. A champion. For more reasons than one and in the true sense of the word. Respect! #Phogat_Vinesh #VineshPhogat.”
Sourabh Raaj Jain, known for his roles in Mahabharat and Patiala Babes, also shared his heartbreak over Vinesh’s disqualification. He tweeted, “It’s heartbreaking. Can’t understand the reasoning for disqualification at this point.”
Elvish Yadav, the Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner, raised concerns about the fairness of the competition, pointing out a controversial decision regarding a male athlete competing in the women’s category. He tweeted, “In a significant and controversial development at the Paris Olympics, a male athlete has been declared a woman, thereby being permitted to compete in the women’s category.” He continued, “On the other hand, Indian wrestler #Phogat_Vinesh, who has previously demonstrated her prowess by defeating a world champion, has been disqualified due to a mere 100-gram excess in weight.” The YouTuber suggested that the incident could lead to questions about the evaluation criteria for athletes.
Smriti Irani, an actor turned politician, also expressed her support for Vinesh Phogat on the microblogging platform, highlighting her resilience and determination. “A nation roots for her champion,” she wrote. “Carry on Champ, your country and admirers around the world are with you. Godspeed!”
Other celebrities, such as Kavita Kaushik and Anupamaa’s Kunwar Amarjeet Singh, posted encouraging messages for Vinesh Phogat, acknowledging her strength and perseverance.
For those unfamiliar with the events leading up to the disqualification, Vinesh Phogat secured her spot in the finals by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-final match. However, she was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit on the morning of August 7, leading to her disqualification.
The news has sparked widespread debate and support for the wrestler, as fans and well-wishers continue to rally behind her.