From Vinesh Phogat to Nisha Dahia: Bad lucks faced by Indian women wrestlers at the Olympics

A statement issued by the Indian Olympic contingent said that Phogat had tipped the scales above the 50 kg mark and was disqualified. "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women's Wrestling 50 kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50 kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh's privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand," the statement read.

The ruling comes as a massive heartbreak for billions of Indians, whose medal dreams were shattered in seconds and for a few grams. Vinesh, by far, would have been the only Olympian this season to win a gold or silver medal at the Paris Games. Earlier, shooters Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Khusale brought three bronze medals.

Vinesh Phogat, who usually competes in the 53-kg category, was competing in the 50 kg freestyle category this time. As per the rules of the Olympic Games, Vinesh had to be within the 50 kg mark on August 6 before her quarterfinal and semifinal match. But on Wednesday morning, she was found to be a few grams overweight, which led to her disqualification.

Vinesh Phogat made weight for Tuesday's bouts, according to an Indian Express article, but she had to remain inside her weight class the whole two days of the competition. She was reportedly two kilogrammes overweight on Tuesday night, according to sources quoted by the newspaper. She tried running, skipping, and cycling through the night, but she was unable to lose the final 100 grammes.

Vinesh is not going to be able to win a silver medal in the tournament; in her place, Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Lopez who lost to her in semi-finals will play the final match. Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki will play for bronze.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on August 6 entered the finals of women's 50kg freestyle wrestling at Olympics, only to suffer a massive heartbreak after she was disqualified for being overweight by a few grams.

Vinesh Phogat, one of India's most decorated women wrestlers, is the only Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships.

Vinesh hails from a family of wrestlers. She is the daughter of wrestler Rajpal Phogat and cousin of wrestlers Geeta and Babita.

She was introduced to the sport at a very early age by her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat. Even though her cousins were established wrestlers when she started out, Vinesh also faced societal pressure for being a girl.

Hailing from Haryana, Vinesh has a degree from Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak.

A two-time Olympian, Vinesh Phogat has three Commonwealth Games golds, two World Championships bronze medals and one Asian Games gold medal to her name.

On 13 December 2018, she married her long-time boyfriend and fellow wrestler Somvir Rathee, who is a two-time gold medalist at the national championships

Phogat is employed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in Indian Railways, a post she earned through her sports achievements.