Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat departed the Paris Olympic Games village on Monday after the closing ceremony of the 33rd Summer Games. She is set to return to New Delhi on Tuesday, the same day the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to deliver its long-awaited ruling on her request for a joint silver medal. This appeal follows her disqualification from the Paris Olympics.
A week ago, Vinesh made headlines by defeating the reigning champion and world number one, Yui Susaki, in her Olympic debut, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. However, she was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle final the next morning due to being 100 grams over the weight limit during the weigh-in.
Devastated by this turn of events and suffering from dehydration after a grueling attempt to shed three kilograms gained during her bouts, Vinesh lost consciousness and was treated at a polyclinic within the Games village. Following her recovery, she filed an appeal with CAS, seeking to be awarded a joint silver medal alongside Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who replaced her in the final after her disqualification.
India is hopeful for a favorable decision from CAS, but sources have revealed that while Vinesh’s condition has improved, she has yet to speak with anyone. “Vinesh is feeling a little better now and has started eating a bit, but she is not talking to anyone yet. We are all supporting her,” sources told India Today.
Vinesh had remained in Paris for the CAS appeal, which was accepted earlier last week. She participated virtually in the hearing held on Friday, represented by senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania. The case was heard by sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett from Australia. Although CAS initially planned to announce the verdict on Saturday, the deadline has been extended to Tuesday at 9:30 pm IST.