100 g, and it all fell apart. The dream of the Olympics and a confirmed medal, but Vinesh Phogat is only taking back despair. She went to such extremes that cutting her hair was not even a concern. What went so wrong that the Olympian wrestler had to draw out her blood? And what is it that makes the entire world sympathize with a disqualified Olympian, including the wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs himself?

All the answers can be found amidst the strict Olympic rules. Vinesh Phogat was fierce and powerful. Owing to that, she did climb up in the finals, where she was supposed to be fighting against the American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt in the 50 kg [110 pounds] event. Although Phogat would have rightfully secured a medal, the sudden increase in her weight created an issue. She was 100 g over the 50 kg [110 pounds] limit. This led to her instant disqualification right before the finals. And the worst part? She has been denied her silver too.

Extremely enraged with such a situation at hand, the iconic 6-time World Championship Gold Medalist and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, Jordan Burroughs, proposed a new set of rules altogether. On his X handle, he listed a 1 kg allowance for the second day’s weight limits; the timing for weigh-ins should be pushed to 10:30 a.m. He also added, “3.) Forfeit will occur in future finals if the opposing finalist misses weight. 4.) After a semifinal victory, both finalists’ medals are secured even if weight is missed on Day 2. Gold can only be won by a wrestler who makes weight on the second day.”

Finally, Burroughs also screamed, “Give Vinesh the Silver medal.” Fans from around the world joined in to show sympathy and rage in the aftermath of what happened.

Wrestling fans demand Phogat’s silver

One of the fans simply reflected the perception of a viewer. They said, “Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge Sarah fan but the IOC should be EMBARRASSED by the current ruleset with no allowance for the second day. Having one of the best performers not make weight is a shame for viewers.” Despite being a fan of Phogat’s opponent, when the viewer spoke up against the harrowing turn of events, it hinted at the gravity of the situation as well as the far-pricked human conscience.

“Vinesh beat everyone fair and square yesterday. She deserves Silver,” pleaded another fan. It is true that Olympic wrestling is a two-day event, but before gaining weight, Vinesh Phogat earned her spot in the finals without any dispute. Hence, fans find it unfair that her second-day weight should take away her achievement and progress too. They thus demand, if not a chance to perform in the finals, that Phogat at least get the silver she earned.

Kenny Monday, an Olympic gold medalist himself, wrote in agreement with Burroughs. He stated, “There should be 10 Olympic weight classes and there should always be weight allowance on the second day, of competition, including NCAA.” The 2024 Paris Olympics has only six weight classes: 50 kg (110 pounds), 53 kg (116 pounds), 57 kg (125 pounds), 62 kg (136 pounds), 68 kg (149 pounds), and 76 kg (167 pounds). This has put several athletes in difficult positions where they have had to go to immense lengths in order to maintain their weight. Hence, a suggestion to have 10 weighing classes does not seem unfair to any fan.

Another fan wrote, “Vinesh doesn’t get a silver medal despite what she did yesterday, AND, someone who LOST yesterday fair and square, now gets to go let it fly in the finals. What a slap in the face to so many.” They find it quite shocking that, despite playing fair and square, Phogat is not receiving the silver she earned. Moreover, the fan finds it quite wrong that someone who has visibly lost a match should be hoisting the honor. According to the fan, it is unfair not only to Phogat but to many others in the system.

Burroughs had also pointed out the extremes that Vinesh Phogat had to go through before her finals. He wrote, “Maybe stories like this will wake up the IOC.” He then further added, “Absolute desperation from the Indian team trying to get the last bit of weight off of Vinesh to qualify for today’s final.” The legendary wrestler shared a screenshot where it was explained how Phogat only had a small meal, but after her weight increased, food and water were completely discarded. She even had to run all night and spend time in the sauna. No sleep for even a second. The most horrifying measures, however, were taken when she decided to draw out her blood and cut her hair. After doing all those, she cut down her 2 kg gap, only to miss out on a mere 100 g and her Olympic medal.

Do you think Vinesh Phogat should have been given the silver? Let us know in the comments below.