Vinesh Remains A Champion, Regardless Of CAS Verdict: Adv Vidushpat Singhania

Vidushpat Singhania, the lawyer representing Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, emphasized that Phogat remains a champion regardless of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict on her Olympic medal dispute.

Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics final for a minor weight limit breach, even though she reached the gold medal match by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals. She was set to face Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the U.S. for the gold but was disqualified.

Earlier in the tournament, Phogat achieved a notable win against Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki in the round of 16.

After her disqualification, Phogat requested CAS to award her the silver medal. The verdict is expected to be announced by 9:30 PM IST.

Vidushpat Singhania told sources that the hearing took place on August 9 and that Phogat was represented by four lawyers. United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are the respondents, with the Indian Olympic Association as an interested party. Singhania expressed hope for a favorable decision and praised Phogat’s status as a champion, regardless of the outcome.

CAS has set up an ad hoc division in Paris, led by President Michael Lenard from the U.S., to handle Olympic-related cases. This division operates within the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement.

In an emotional post on X, Phogat announced her retirement, expressing gratitude and sorrow. She wrote, “Maa kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness.”

Throughout her career, Vinesh Phogat earned significant accolades, including two World Championships bronze medals (2019 and 2022), an Asian Games gold (2018) and bronze (2014), and three Commonwealth Games gold medals (2014, 2018, 2022). She also won gold at the Asian Championships (2021) and has secured silver and bronze medals at the continental level.

IOA President Dr. PT Usha clarified that the responsibility for weight management in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with the athletes and their coaches, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team. Dr. Usha explained that each Indian athlete for the Paris 2024 Olympics has their own support team.

The IOA appointed a medical team a few months ago to assist with recovery, injury management, and support for athletes without their own nutritionists or physiotherapists. Dr. Usha condemned the criticism directed at the IOA medical team, particularly Dr. Pardiwala, and urged critics to consider all facts before forming judgments.

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