Vinesh Phogat: The ad-hoc bench of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (NoA) on Tuesday again deferred its decision on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification ahead of the finals at the Paris Olympics till August 16. The sports court was to pronounce its verdict on Tuesday after hearing arguments from all parties, but it was deferred for the third time. This has further increased the wait for the 29-year-old Indian wrestler.
According to the publication of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), 'The President of the Ad Hoc Division of Arbitration for Sport has appointed a sole arbitrator to deliver his award in the case of Vinesh Phogat v. United World Wrestling (UWW) International Olympic Committee. Dr. Annabelle Bennett has been appointed. Who will deliver his award by 6 pm Paris time on Friday, 16 August 2024.
Vinesh, who had reached the final of the women's 50kg freestyle event last Tuesday with three wins, including over Japan's Yui Susaki, was knocked out of the title clash against American gold medallist Sarah Hildebrandt after being 100 grams over the cutoff at the morning weigh-in.
The wrestler appealed against the decision at the Tribunal for Arbitration for Sport last Wednesday and demanded that she be awarded a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman Lopez. Lopez lost to Vinesh in the semi-finals but later made it to the final after the Indian wrestler was disqualified. Vinesh announced her retirement from the sport a day after the disqualification, saying she did not have the strength to continue. However, veteran athletes from around the world have supported the 29-year-old wrestler who was competing in her third Olympic Games.
The hearing of the case was held on August 9 itself and it was believed that the verdict would come on the same day. However, it was postponed till August 10. After this it was postponed till August 13. Now the verdict is likely to come on August 16 at 9:30 pm. Earlier, speaking to news agency ANI, Vinesh's lawyer Vidushpat Singhania said, 'Vinesh was represented by four lawyers.
She is the petitioner in the case and United World Wrestling (UWW) and International Olympic Committee have participated and Indian Olympic Association is interested. We hope the decision will go in Vinesh's favour. Whatever the decision of CAS, Vinesh is a champion and should be respected.