Vijender Singh, the 2008 Beijing Olympics boxing bronze medalist, has voiced strong criticism following the disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris 2024 Olympics. On August 7, Vinesh was disqualified from the gold-medal bout against Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States after being found 150 grams over the permitted weight limit. This disqualification not only barred her from competing for gold but also meant she would return from Paris without a medal, despite earlier securing a semi-final victory.
On August 6, Vinesh had guaranteed India its fourth medal at the Paris Olympics by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman in her semi-final match. The subsequent disqualification has led to significant backlash and claims of unfairness from prominent figures in Indian sports, including Vijender Singh.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Vijender Singh condemned the disqualification as a “huge conspiracy” against Indian wrestlers. He suggested that Vinesh was a victim of an orchestrated effort to undermine Indian athletes’ achievements. Vijender argued that athletes often have the capability to manage their weight, and the marginal excess of 100 grams should have been rectifiable, providing Vinesh with a chance to correct the discrepancy.
Vijender remarked, “It’s a huge conspiracy against India and Indian wrestlers. The way she has performed is worth appreciating. Maybe some people couldn’t digest the happiness. We can reduce five to six kgs 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. She should have got a chance to reduce the 100 grams.”
Reflecting on his own experience, Vijender highlighted that, during Olympic competitions, athletes primarily focus on recovery and weight control rather than strict dietary regimens. He elaborated, “Having participated in the Olympics, I have never seen anything like this. We do not need carbohydrates and protein; we need recovery at first. We know that we have a bout tomorrow. So, weight control is the first priority. We go to our physio because our body is tired, and we can control our hunger. But we focus more on our recovery, not our food intake.”
Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification overshadowed a significant achievement in her career. On August 6, Vinesh’s victory over Japan’s Yui Susaki, who was the Tokyo gold medallist, ended Susaki’s impressive 82-match winning streak at the international level. This performance had previously sparked hope and excitement for her gold-medal prospects.
Vinesh’s disqualification means that Sakshi Malik remains India’s only Olympic medallist in wrestling, highlighting the ongoing challenges and pressures faced by Indian athletes on the global stage.
