'Danger realized on Tuesday, sleepless night and despair'; Wrestler Vinesh Phogat hospitalized in Paris

NEW DELHI: It was a brutal revelation that a 100-gram difference could shatter the mood of 140 crore people. Gold medal hopeful Vinesh Phogat will end up at the bottom of the table after getting disqualified for weighing 100 gm more than the allowed weight in the category.

But now it is reported that Vinesh and her coaching team were aware of the situation on Tuesday night and worked hard all night to restrict the weight within the allowed margin. Since she had to compete in the 50 kg freestyle category, the weight should teeter within 50 kg and should not fluctuate. After her semifinal victory against the Cuban player, the team noticed Vinesh's weight going slightly higher than the required level. To conform to the rules, the wrestler practised fasting for the whole last night, without even having a drop of water.

She passed the night hours by engaging in strenuous exercise that included cycling. All the hard work went in vain as she remained overweight by a slender margin when checked by officials on Wednesday morning. The fasting and the arduous workout without sleep took a toll on Vinesh as she fainted due to weariness in the Olympic village. Vinesh was rushed to a clinic where she is now undergoing treatment.

The International Olympic Association had warned that Vinesh would have to be disqualified after being found to be 100 grams extra. As soon as it became clear that things were out of hand, the Indian team lodged an official protest against the authorities.

India's demand for a review of the disqualification decision was rejected after the officials complained about the coaching team disrupting their official duty. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened in the issue contacting Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, who was with the Indian team in Paris and instructed her to issue strong protest against the Olympic associations' decision to disqualify Vinesh.

After the news of his disqualification came out, PM Modi took to social media with words of consolation. “Face challenges head-on. Come back strong, we are all with you,”