Poppy Bilderbeck
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from competing in the finals of the Olympic Games and reportedly later hospitalized.
On Wednesday (August 7), Phogat was set to take to the ring up against the US' Sarah Hildebrandt, in the finals of the women's 50kg freestyle category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, during the weigh-in on the morning of the finals, the 29-year-old ended up being disqualified.
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Phogat beat defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki from Japan for a spot in the quarter-finals and defeated Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez on Tuesday to reach the final.
But on the morning of the finals, it was revealed by Team India that Phogat had been disqualified from participating in the Olympics any longer.
The team shared a statement on Twitter which read: "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning."
And it's since been revealed the boxer has been hospitalized.
In preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, it's reported Phogat spent a lot of time in the sauna and committed to a strict eating plan in a bid to lose enough weight to qualify for the 50kg category - having competed in the 53kg category in the previous two Olympic games, BBC reports.
However, Indian women’s chief coach Virender Dahiya said, as quoted by the Mail Online that Phogat's weight was 'up by 1kg' the night before the finals.
"We and her personal support staff worked to cut it down. Unfortunately, it was slightly above the limit," Dahiya added,
The Times of India claims Phogat cut her hair and even 'attempted to draw blood' in a bid to make the weight class.
The outlet alleged reports later came in after Phogat was disqualified on the morning of the finals that she'd fainted and been hospitalized.
The athlete's fainting is reportedly suspected as having been caused by dehydration.
Phogat is said to now be stable and recovering in the Olympic Village's polyclinic.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to show his support for the athlete - who has appealed against her disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in a bid to be awarded joint silver - writing: "Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.
"Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on.
"Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you."
When trying to achieve weight loss - athlete or not - it's important to remember to prioritise your health and not adopt methods that are going to cause you any harm.
UNILAD has contacted Vinesh Phogat's representatives for comment.