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2012 London Olympics Bronze medallist Saina Nehwal opened up on Vinesh Phogat’s shocking disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024 after being overweight “by a few grams” in the women’s 50kg category. Vinesh's disqualification occurred on the morning of her gold medal match, scheduled for Wednesday, August 7. Phogat scripted history by becoming India’s first female wrestler to reach final of the Olympics. During the weigh-in on Wednesday morning, the Haryana-native was found to be over the weight limit by 100 grams.
Nehwal, who won bronze in women’s singles in 2012 Olympics, expressed her disappointment with how things went for the wrestler. The shuttler, however, also pointed out that it was a mistake from Phogat’s part as well and she should take responsibility of the same. Nehwal said that since it is Phogat’s third Olympic appearance, she should not have made such a mistake.
Nehwal, considered as India’s torch-bearer in women’s badminton, told NDTV, "I was cheering for her for the last two three days. Every player trains for this moment. I know what she must be feeling. There are no words to describe this as an athlete. May be the weight shot up. She is a fighter and has always made glorious comebacks. Next time she will make sure, a medal come.”
She added, “She is an experienced athlete. She knows what is right or wrong. I don't know the details of wrestling. I don't know if there has been any appeal in Olympics which resulted in something significant. She knows the rule. I don't what mistake she did, that too on the final day. I have always seen her working very hard. She gives her 100 per cent.”
Nehwal went on to say, "It is not like she is playing her first Olympics, it's her third Olympics. As an athletes she must know the rules. If there has been a mistake, I don't know how it happened. At such a big stage, I have not heard any such thing about any other wrestler, that they have been disqualified due to being overweight. She is an experienced athlete. Somewhere there has been a mistake on Vinesh's part too. She should take the blame too. Before such a big match, such a mistake is not right."
