Wrestling: Court of Arbitration for Sport shares detailed verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport, on Monday, shared the detailed verdict following their rejection of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics final.

CAS explained that athletes must strictly adhere to their designated weight limits, with no exceptions under any circumstances.

On August 14, the CAS ad-hoc division dismissed Phogat's appeal against her disqualification for being 100 grams over the weight limit.

Phogat had sought to share the silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who advanced to the final after Phogat’s disqualification.

“The application submitted by Phogat on August 7, 2024, has been dismissed,” stated the Court CAS in their decision.

Phogat was disqualified on the morning of the women’s 50kg freestyle final. Phogat first appealed to be reinstated for the gold medal match against the USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt, before later modifying her appeal to request a joint silver medal.

Her appeal argued that the 100g excess should be tolerated due to factors like water retention, especially during the premenstrual phase. However, the CAS confirmed that there was no dispute that she exceeded the limit.

“There is no dispute that the Applicant was above the weight limit. She gave the above evidence clearly and directly at the hearing,” the CAS noted in their justification.

Further, the statement read, “The issue for the...

Read more