"She was sitting in protest...still made it to the finals": Deepender Hooda on Vinesh Phogat disqualification

New Delhi [India], August 7 : On the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics, Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda on Tuesday said that wrestler Vinesh Phogat made it to the finals when athletes around the world were practicing on wrestling mats and asked where and how did things go wrong?
reacted to wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics on Wednesday and said that the entire country is in shock and has many questions about the matter.
The Congress MP also questioned where things went wrong and whether the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has raised the issue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Speaking to ANI, Deepender Singh Hooda said, "The entire country is in shock and has many questions on the matter. Our daughter had worked so hard to reach the finals. When athletes around the world were practicing on wrestling mats, she was sitting in protest to seek justice for Indian women in wrestling. She still made it to the finals."
"Where and how did things go wrong? Is the administration not responsible for this? Her weight was fine in all three bouts yesterday. Has the IOA taken up this issue with the IOC?" questioned Hooda.
Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling (UWW) after Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics for being "overweight" in the 50 kg category.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha, the minister listed the steps the government took to support her preparation. The members earlier voiced their concern over Vinesh Phogat's disqualification ahead of her gold medal bout at the Olympics.
Mandaviya said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha and asked her to take the necessary action.
In a big blow to India's medal hopes from the wrestling arena, grappler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50 kg women's wrestling event for breaching the 50 kg weight mark. Vinesh was scheduled to take on the United States's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the Gold Medal match today.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi consoled Vinesh after she was disqualified from the competition.
"Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take on challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you," the PM said in a post on X.
As per sources, the Prime Minister spoke to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha and sought firsthand information from PT Usha on the issue and the options India has in the wake of Vinesh's setback. The Prime Minister asked the IOA President to explore the full range of options to help Vinesh's case.
He also urged PT Usha to file a strong protest regarding her disqualification if that helps Vinesh, the sources said.A statement issued by the Indian Olympic contingent said that Phogat had tipped the scales above the 50 kg mark and was disqualified.
"It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women's Wrestling 50 kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50 kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests that you respect Vinesh's privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand," the statement read.
Vinesh Phogat had entered the gold medal contest after beating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, India can continue to hope for medals in the athletics arena. Athlete Avinash Sable will be taking part in the 3000-meter steeplechase final on Thursday.
Mirabai Chanu will also be in action tonight, where she will be seen competing in the women's 49 KG category in weightlifting.
Wrestler Antim Panghal will play her Round of 16 bout in the Women's Freestyle 53 KG category later on Wednesday. India has won 3 medals so far at the Paris Olympics, all in the shooting competition.