The Court of Arbitration For Sport (CAS) accepted Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s plea for a joint silver medal in the women’s 50kg wrestling at the Paris Olympics.

Hearing on her appeal started around 9:30 am Paris time, or 1 pm IST on August 9, though an interim verdict was expected, the CAS put out a statement that the order will come before the Olympics end on August 11.

The development has come as a big shot in the arm for both Vinesh Phogat and the Indian Olympic Association. The CAS, in its prima facie views on Thursday, found merit in Vinesh’s plea for a joint silver medal after she was disqualified from the final for being 100 grams overweight.

Vinesh was disqualified just hours before her gold-medal bout against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the USA. Although she had guaranteed at least a silver medal by making it to the final, she lost the podium finish following a failed weigh-in. Attempts to shed some kg came to naught as she was disqualified anyway. The ruling of the United World Wrestling – that a wrestler must be within the weight category on each day of competition – saw Vinesh lose the chance at winning a medal.

Though Vinesh’s opponent in the semi-finals, Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, made it to the final, the script ended there as she was beaten by America’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt who became the fourth woman from her country to win a gold medal in wrestling.

Following her disqualification, Vinesh and the IOA filed two appeals with CAS. While the first one seeking permission for Vinesh to participate in the final was dismissed, the second appeal seeking a joint silver medal was allowed. Vinesh had won her first three bouts on August 6 but could not make her weight for the second-day weigh-in, which resulted in the disqualification.

The IOA has engaged Senior Advocate Harish Salve to argue its case before the CAS on behalf of Vinesh. The IOA argued that the 100 grams excess weight was insignificant and due to various factors such as bloating or recovery after intense competition and not for any gain.

This comes at a time when Vinesh has just declared her retirement from wrestling.

Hours after Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics ahead of the gold medal wrestling pout, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hoped that the Indian Olympic Association would strongly challenge this decision and provide justice to Phogat.

The former Congress president, in a post on X, said that it was unfortunate that Vinesh Phogat, India’s pride, who reached the finals after defeating world champion wrestlers, was disqualified on technical grounds. Gandhi added that Vinesh was not the one who would give up, adding that the Congress leader was confident that she would come back stronger in the arena.

The Congress leader said Phogat has always made the country proud. “Even today the whole country stands with you as your strength”, the Congress MP said.

Phogat, was disqualified from her gold medal match against Sarah Hildebrandt after weighing 150 grams over the 50 kg weight category. Phogat was set to make history as the first Indian wrestler to compete for a gold medal in her category.

Phogat’s journey through the event was remarkable, as she defeated all her opponents to reach the finals. She was scheduled to face Sarah Hildebrandt on August 7 for the ultimate showdown. However, it was discovered that she exceeded the weight limit by 150 grams, resulting in her disqualification.

Sanjay Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), stated that legal action would be taken against this situation. Vinesh’s nutritionist and coach can determine the real reason for this. He said WFI is looking for legal options to appeal for the disapproval of this disqualification. “Yes, we don’t have much time for it, but we are doing everything in our power to make this situation right,” Singh added.

Phogat, who had secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, is now ineligible for any medal and will be placed last. This decision came as a shock after her sensational victory over Yui Susaki, who is considered nearly unbeatable in the wrestling world.

The disqualification has been a devastating blow to Phogat, leaving her heartbroken and under medical supervision. Her supporters and fans are equally dismayed, with many expressing their disappointment online.

The most overwhelming emotion was sadness. Olympic rings decorate her right-hand wrap, and the words ‘Paris 2024’ are written in gold on her left hand. She also wears a ring with the Olympic symbol, a gift from her father. Her life has been guided by this singular ambition.

When her moment came, after years of waiting, the boxer who operates with an aura of invincibility inside the ring, was left chasing her elusive opponent’s shadows. Light on her feet and lightning-fast with her hands, Wu Yu would duck under Nikhat’s punches and swerve sideways to evade. Then, she’d land a clean blow, impressing the judges and keeping Nikhat guessing where the next punch would come from.

“It was my first match against Wu Yu. It was an experience. I didn’t know how to face her,” Nikhat admitted. “She was ahead of my attacks. She had more speed than me.” Weigh-in worries and sleepless nights It didn’t help that she endured a sleepless night. In the German town of Saarbrucken, where she was training before the Olympics, Nikhat is believed to have been at least 2-3 kilos over 50 kg, the maximum weight allowed in her category.

Nikhat said she had been on a fast to remain in the weight category. “For two days, I haven’t eaten or drunk anything. I couldn’t sleep at all last night. Today was the first bout of the morning, so my body didn’t fully recover. I was at the venue just after breakfast,” she said. “I couldn’t sleep last night because I hadn’t eaten anything. My mind was active for 24 hours, thinking about drinking water and eating immediately after weigh-in. If I had won the bout, it would have been appreciated by the people.

“Since I lost, people will say it’s an excuse. But honestly, I couldn’t sleep last night; you can check my data.” She didn’t deny that the result was a ‘setback’ for her. “But I will learn from it.” A solo trip is on her mind The bout against Wu Yu, she added, has given her direction for the Los Angeles Olympics four years from now—that she’ll need to become ‘physically and mentally stronger’.

However, Nikhat said this wouldn’t rank as a ‘disappointment’. “I’ve put in all the effort I could. I’ve toiled in training, sparred with boys, and faced minor injuries. I’ve trained through those injuries. But this Olympic performance I won’t see myself as a total waste. Unfortunately, I drew a tough opponent,” she said. Next on her agenda is a solo trip.

The Paris Games consumed much of her life for the last three years, and Nikhat said she now wants to do things that were put on hold: spending time with her nephew and niece. “I miss being together with them,” she said. “I will try to go on a solo trip. I’ve never experienced it in life.” When she returns to the ring, Nikhat says one thing will never change: my spirit to do better. “My journey has never been a walk, and it will remain difficult, which is okay because I am a fighter in and outside the ring.”