Editorial Summary
1. Vinesh Phogat's Olympic campaign in Paris ended in heartbreak as she missed the final due to a weight issue.
2. The 29-year-old wrestler from Haryana was in excellent form, competing in the women's 50kg category.
3. Hours before her final bout against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, Vinesh was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit during the mandatory weigh-in.
4. The weight discrepancy dashed her hopes of winning an Olympic gold or silver, leading to widespread disappointment in India.
5. Vinesh had weighed 49.90kg on the previous day but gained weight overnight, complicating her chances.
6. She had defeated defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan and Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez to reach the final.
7. Despite her efforts to lose the extra weight through extreme measures, she couldn't make the cut by the next morning.
8. Vinesh originally competed in the 53kg category, but her spot was taken by emerging wrestler Antim Panghal.
9. The United World Wrestling's strict rules led to Vinesh's elimination for not meeting the weight requirement.
10. Vinesh's struggle to make weight was seen as a metaphor for her larger battle against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
11. Brij Bhushan faced serious allegations of sexual harassment, highlighting the issues within India’s sports administration.
12. The patriarchy within the system initially rebuffed the wrestlers' claims before a belated clean-up attempt.
13. Vinesh's exit was met with widespread angst and disappointment across the nation.
14. Despite her elimination, Vinesh appealed for a joint silver medal consideration, though the outcome is still pending.
15. Vinesh Phogat's retirement announcement following the event marked a significant loss for Indian sport.