Vinesh Phogat News: Wrestler’s wait for joint Olympic silver to continue till August 16 as CAS postpones verdict again

Vinesh Phogat news: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Tuesday yet again deferred its verdict on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's case. The verdict is likely to be out by August 16 now, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said in a statement on Tuesday, August 13.

Earlier, the CAS had said the verdict was expected before Sunday. However, it was deferred to August 13. Now, the IOA said the verdict would be pronounced on August 16.

The IOA and lawyer Harish Salve, appearing for Vinesh Phogat before the court, were scheduled to address the media at 9:30 PM (IST) on Tuesday to share an update regarding the matter. However, no such press conference was held.

Vinesh Phogat news: What IOA said

The IOA said in a statement on Tuesday, “The CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport] ad hoc division president has allowed Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett, Sole Arbitrator in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) matter, an extension until 6-00 p.m. [Paris time and 9:30 pm India time] on Friday, August 16, 2024.”

What's Vinesh Phogat's case?

Vinesh appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport demanding a joint silver medal alongside Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez.

Follow Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Verdict Live Updates

Lopez had lost to Vinesh in the semis of the women's 50kg wrestling competition in Paris but replaced her for the final following Vinesh's disqualification from the Paris Olympic Games.

In a dramatic turn of events, Vinesh was disqualified after being found overweight by 100 grams during the customary weigh-in on the morning of the gold medal bout.

Just a day before, Vinesh had stunned world No. 1 Yui Susaki of Japan in her opening match, securing an "extraordinary" victory against Susaki.

Vinesh Phogat's world champion rival Susaki reacts: Susaki, who faced a massive defeat at the hands of Vinesh Phogat a day before the latter's disqualification, said, “I had the honour of winning the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics! First of all, thank you so much for all your support. It has really helped me out! I wanted to see my family, teammates, and fans who have fought with me for the past three years to win the gold medal, but I couldn't do it, and I'm so sorry and frustrated that I committed a betrayal.”

'Vinesh was hiding her pain with that smile': Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh recalled his meeting with Vinesh Phogat and said, "The next day before our bronze medal match, I met her and she said 'Bhai good luck, play well'. I felt like she was hiding her pain with that smile. She is a real fighter."

Vinesh was strong and deserves a medal, says Indian hockey player Sreejesh: Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh believes that Vinesh Phogat deserves a medal after reaching the final of the women's 50kg wrestling competition in Paris despite being disqualified from the Games. "There are two views, one being an athlete she deserves a medal, getting into the final, they snatched it from her, silver for sure. She was strong. If I was in her situation, I don't know what I would have done," Sreejesh said at an interaction with PTI editors at its headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday.