Vinesh disqualified | No sabotage, rules don’t allow pulling out ‘injured’: Viren Rasquinha

As several theories still keep floating around the disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, former Indian hockey team Viren Rasquinha has answered several important questions including exploring legal possibilities.

On Wednesday (August 7), Vinesh, who was set to compete in the women’s 50 kg final, was disqualified for being overweight by 100 grams. Disappointed with this, Vinesh, on Thursday, decided to retire from the sport.

The issue of Vinesh’s disqualification had also turned political as several Opposition leaders questioned the team doctors, coaches, and the rest of the Indian support staff for wrestling in the Paris Olympics.

Now, Rasquinha, who is also the CEO of Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), which is supporting Vinesh, has put out a statement explaining the wrestling rules, what was Vinesh’s weight, what the options left now, and ruled out any sabotage in the case.

"Vinesh and the entire team that worked with her are devastated with the disqualification from the Paris Olympics. I have tried to answer some questions that have been asked to me since yesterday morning," he said.

He also clearly stated that as per the rules, there was no possibility of Vinesh pulling out of the final citing an injury.

Here are the questions answered by Rasquinha on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday (August 8).

Why is Vinesh fighting in 50 kgs weight category when her normal weight is 55 kgs?

Almost all wrestlers the world over fight in a weight category 3-4 kgs below their normal weight. Vinesh was wrestling in the 53 kgs weight category for the last 5-6 years. She had an ACL Surgery on 17th Aug 2023 and during the rehab period, Antim Panghal won the quota for India in the 53 kgs weight category. A country can only send one wrestler per Olympic category if they seal a quota. Post her return to play, Vinesh would have ideally liked to compete in the 53kg category itself, which was her regular weight category. Vinesh requested for transparency on trial dates. However, there was no clarity on the same. So, she decided to go in the 50kg category and won the quota in the Olympic qualifiers. As you all saw, her choice was right and she did so well in this weight beating the Olympic and World Champion Susaki of Japan and two other wrestlers to make it to the final.

Why give weight on 2 days?

This is as per UWW Rules. You have to weigh within your weight category on both days.

If Vinesh made the weight on day 1, what was the problem on day 2?

When Vinesh made weight on day 1, she had to have a planned recovery meal post weigh-in to regain some strength. Her weight bounced to 52.7 due to rehydration (even with a very tiny meal). This is also because weight loss is mainly by dehydration. So, the challenge was to now lose that 2.7 kgs until 7.15am the next morning (about 12 hours). Her semi-final final bout got over around 7 pm Paris time.

Could Vinesh and the team have done anything more? Could they have planned weight management better?

The team did everything possible. You cannot practice this in advance as constant weight control for wrestlers puts their health at severe risk and hampers training which is better at an optimum weight as per medical advice. Vinesh and the team did everything possible to try and make weight on day 2. The doctor, nutritionist, coach, CMO, CDM and everyone was with her throughout the night. She did not sleep even for 1 minute all night. She pushed herself to the limits to make weight. Unfortunately, she just missed the mark.

Is there any possibility of sabotage?

Zero chance

Is there any possibility of appeal by IOA?

That is for IOA to take it up with higher authorities

Is there any possibility of legal remedy?

We are exploring those options but can’t say as of now as I am not an expert on this.

Was it an option to not go for the weigh-in and say that she was injured?

Not an option. A player cannot declare herself unfit or sick. This has to be certified by the tournament doctor. If the player misses the weigh-in, then the player gets disqualified.

Could we have asked for more time since it was only a matter of 100 grams?

The CMO (Chief Medical Officer), CDM (Chef de Mission) strongly requested the officials for this but no leeway was given in this regard.

Couldn’t Vinesh have cut off her hair?

She did cut off her hair in the morning before the weigh-in.