100gm. That's the weight of a regularsized apple, a small cup of peanuts or less than a cricket ball. It is insignificant a weight for an average human being. In sport it's that thin line between a medal and eviction from a tournament. Just 100g is enough to shatter a dream and bring a grappler on to the mat.
Shattered and broken.
Vinesh Phogat has faced many battles in her career.
From injuries to getting dragged on the streets of the national capital, she has endured much. She managed to get up every time. But this 100gm will weigh her down and scar her forever after getting disqualified from the 50kg before the medal event on Wednesday But it doesn't matter. She is the story of the Olympics and will always remain one.
24-carat gold.
The joy is gone. A pal of gloom descended on the contingent. They were distraught and broken. Within 12 hours of confirming a medal, Phogat had been placed last. This doesn't normally happen in professional sports. No one remembers when the last time an athlete was disqualified for failing to make weight on the morning of a medal bout at the Olympics. Just 100 grams.
A day after the greatest moment of her life, Vinesh was stood down.
On Tuesday night when the support staff found out that she was more than 2kgs above the threshold, they started mat training after all the bouts finished. She also did skipping, running and other exercises. The team knew she had to shed weight.
This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
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This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
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