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The Court of Arbitration for Sports' (CAS) verdict on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been postponed to August 16. Phogat had filed an appeal in the CAS after her heartbreaking disqualification from the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024. Notably, the ad-hoc division of the CAS had heard all the arguments and was expected to deliver the verdict on August 10; however, it was somehow deferred.
Later on Sunday, India waited as the CAS released a statement about announcing the decision on the day itself but it made a shift again, with the new date being August 13. The delay in the verdict came as Sole Arbitrator Dr Annabelle Bennett of Australia sought more time to look into more evidence and give her verdict.
CAS verdict on Phogat delayed; decision to be made on Aug 16
Dr. Annabelle heard both parties, applicant Vinesh Phogat, United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee representatives, as well as IOA as an interested party. But on August 13, the CAS verdict has been deferred for the third time and Vinesh’s medal verdict will be conveyed on August 16.
What was Vinesh Phogat's plea against her disqualification?
On August 6, Vinesh created history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling final at the Olympics, as she took down Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman in the semifinal of women’s 50kg category. However, entire India’s happiness proved to be short-lived as on the day of her final clash bout against USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, Phogat was declared disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit.
Phogat who assured India of at least a silver was left heartbroken with what happened, and she announced her retirement from the sport. However, she filed a plea at the CAS against her disqualification and demanded a joint silver medal.
