NEW DELHI: Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez will take India's Vinesh Phogat's place in the women's 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics. Phogat was disqualified for being overweight during the morning weigh-in on Wednesday, a day after making history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final in her category.
Phogat had been set to compete against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal.
The Paris Games organizing committee clarified Phogat's disqualification in a statement: "Vinesh failed the second day’s weigh-in. According to Article 11 of the International Wrestling Rules, Vinesh (IND) will be replaced by the wrestler who lost against her in the semifinal. Therefore, Yusneylis Guzman Lopez (CUB) will compete in the final."
Consequently, as per PTI report, the repechage match between Yui Susaki of Japan and Oksana Livach of Ukraine will now determine the bronze medal winner.
Phogat's disqualification, due to being 100 grams overweight, meant she lost her assured medal position. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed remorse over the incident and called for privacy for Phogat, competing in her third Olympics:
"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," IOA said in a statement.
Phogat required medical attention at the polyclinic inside the Games Village due to severe dehydration following the weigh-in. The Indian coach confirmed the specifics of the disqualification: "She was found overweight by 100 grams this morning. The rules do not allow this, and she has been disqualified."
According to international wrestling rules, any wrestler who exceeds the weight limit during the weigh-in is placed at the bottom of the final standings, effectively terminating their competition.
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