Vinesh Phogat disqualification: Court hears wrestler’s appeal for Olympic silver medal, decision ’expected before...’

Days after Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat challenged her disqualification from the Paris Olympics over weight issues, Court of Arbitration for Sports on 9 August said that the decision on Phogat's plea is expected to be issued before Olympic Games' end.

Phogat had submitted an application at the CAS Ad hoc division on 7 August in relation to the decision taken by the United World Wresting t replace her before the gold medal match of the Women's freestyle 50kg competition at the Paris Olympics.

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In the media release, the CAS mentioned that Vinesh Phogat sought a decision from the body annulling the challenged decision and ordering another weigh-in ahead of the final match. She also sought to be declared eligible and qualified to participate in the final, said the CAS, adding, she did not request urgent interim measures.

"The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is fast, but it was not possible for a decision on the merits to be issued within an hour, bearing in mind that the Respondent UWW would have had to be heard first. The procedure is, however, ongoing and the Applicant has confirmed that she seeks the annulment of the Challenged Decision and that she requests to be awarded a (shared) silver medal," ANI quoted the CAS as saying.

"The matter has been referred to the Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS), sitting as a Sole Arbitrator, who will hold a hearing on the parties today. The Sole Arbitrator's decision is expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games," CAS added.

Earlier on Wednesday, UWW disqualified Vinesh Phogat, citing she was 100grams more that the permissible weight limit. Following this, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling and said, “My courage is broken, I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling, 2001-2024.”

In the Olympics, Phogat defeated four-time world and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan on Tuesday. She also won her quarterfinal match against Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5 and her semifinal against Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 to seemingly earn a spot in Wednesday.

With agency inputs.