Vinesh Phogat caught everyone's attention during the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024. With Antim Panghal slotted into her weight category, Vinesh dropped down to 50kg to qualify for Paris 2024.
Having won two World C'ship bronze medals, three gold in CWG and many medals in Asian Games and Asian C'ships, what was missing was a medal from the Olympics for Vinesh.
Her opening bout was against defending champion Yui Susaki, who was also unbeaten since 2010, losing only three matches to the same opponent in that period.
she followed it up with a win against Ukraine's Oksana Livach in the quarter-finals, and defeated Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman in the semi-final.
Commenting on Phogat's controversy, legendary boxer and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom stated that weight management is an athlete's responsibility.
"The problem for the Athlete is that the Rules are clear as to the weight limit and are the same for all participants.
There is no tolerance provided for – it is an upper limit. It does not even allow for the weight of the singlet. It is clearly up to an athlete to ensure that they remain below that limit."