NEW DELHI, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday lodged a strong protest against the United World Wrestling (UWW) over the disqualification of woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat from playing the final of the 50-kg category at the Paris Olympics for being "overweight."
India's Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked IOA president P.T. Usha to take proper action regarding the issue.
Vinesh was scheduled to compete in the gold medal match against the U.S.' female grappler Sarah Hildebrandt.
Earlier in a statement, the IOA had confirmed that Vinesh was disqualified for being overweight by 100 grams.
The IOA statement said, "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."
According to media reports, over the past 24 hours, Vinesh tried her best to cut down her weight. Besides physical exercising like rope-skipping and cycling, she even as she cut her nails and hair too in a bid to bring her weight to 50-kg.
India has so far won only three bronze medals at Paris. After winning her semifinal bout last night, Vinesh had given hopes of a medal in the ongoing Olympic Games. However, the news of Vinesh's disqualification came as a big surprise for the countrymen even as a pall of gloom descended across the country.
Modi sent words of encouragement to Vinesh through a post on X, calling her "a champion among champions" and "India's pride." ■
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