“Today's setback hurts…”: PM Modi Expresses Disappointment Over Phogat's Olympic Disqualification, Urges IOA to Challenge Decision

“You are a champion among champions,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat after she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics, where she was found to be overweight. The Prime Minister expressed deep disappointment and said that “today’s setback hurts.” Vinesh Phogat was disqualified hours before her gold medal match against Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA from the Women's Wrestling 50kg final at the Olympics due to being 100 grams overweight. PM Modi urged IOA President PT Usha to lodge strong protest to help Phogat’s cause.

“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing,” Modi said. He added, “At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking to social media platform “X”.

Prime Minister Modi reached out to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha for updates and to discuss possible actions. Modi urged Usha to explore all avenues to support Phogat, including filing a strong protest if necessary.

The IOA issued a statement expressing regret over Phogat’s disqualification. “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. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand,” the statement read.

Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final after her weight was found to be 100 grams over the permissible limit during Wednesday morning’s weigh-in. This disqualification came just hours before her gold medal match against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States. India’s national coach, Virendra Singh Dahiya, confirmed the situation and said, “Yes, she has been disqualified. She weighed 100 grams over her weight in the morning’s weigh-in. Our president Sanjay Singh is here and trying to make an appeal.”

Competition rules mandate that wrestlers must meet the weight limit both on the morning of the preliminary rounds and the morning of the final. Phogat was within the limit on Tuesday, but her weight increased throughout the day due to multiple bouts. Phogat's disqualification was a significant setback for India’s wrestling hopes. She had previously achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, overcoming notable opponents including Japan’s Yui Susaki, Ukraine’s Oksana Livach, and Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzmán.​