On the morning of August 7, 2024, Vinesh Phogat stood on the verge of achieving her greatest dream. The determined wrestler from Balali, Haryana, was just hours away from securing her place in Indian sports history. A gold medal at the Paris Olympics would have been more than a personal triumph; it would have inspired millions of young Indian girls.

But fate had a cruel twist in store. The scales revealed a heartbreaking truth. A mere 100 grams—less than the weight of a small coin—separated Vinesh from her destiny. Disqualification. The word reverberated through the Olympic arena, carrying the crushing weight of shattered dreams.

A weight too heavy to bear

For Vinesh, everything fell apart in that instant. Years of relentless training, countless sacrifices of family, friends, and personal life, vanished in a heartbeat. The physical toll of weight cutting—a common practice among athletes—had pushed her to the edge, and ultimately, it was her downfall.

Back home in Balali, the news hit like a tidal wave of despair. The village was suddenly engulfed in shock and grief. Fans, sports enthusiasts, and a heartbroken nation felt the crushing weight of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification.

The weight cut is a brutal aspect of wrestling, a game of inches where every gram counts. Vinesh, like many athletes, had pushed her body to its limits. Dehydration, muscle loss, and sleep deprivation are common side effects. In her case, it was the final, cruel blow.

The aftermath was a maelstrom of emotions. There was anger, disbelief, and a deep sense of injustice. But there was also an outpouring of support. Messages of encouragement flooded social media. The nation rallied around her, recognising her courage to step onto the mat and the mental strength needed to face such a setback.

The weight of disqualification crushed Vinesh Phogat, leading to a heart-wrenching decision to retire from the sport she loved. In a poignant social media post, she expressed her deep sorrow and the shattering of her dreams. Her retirement marked the end of an era.

Athletes are not cold, calculating machines programmed for victory. They are complex individuals, carrying the hopes and dreams of millions while battling their own demons. Vinesh’s fall is a heart-wrenching reminder of vulnerability, but her resilience shows the indomitable human spirit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, aptly called Vinesh a "champion among champions." He praised her historic achievement as the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final and encouraged her to come back even stronger.

Hailing from the legendary Phogat wrestling family, Vinesh carried the weight of expectation. Her cousins, Geeta and Babita, were pioneers, but Vinesh was poised to redefine the narrative. Yet, fate dealt a cruel blow.

The fall of a champion

The abrupt disqualification was a shock, exposing the fragility beneath the athlete's armour. A mere 100 grams, a seemingly insignificant weight, became a symbol of a larger issue: the brutal toll of weight cutting. Critics lambasted the practice, citing its perilous consequences for athletes' health. Vinesh's ordeal brought this dark underbelly of sports into sharp focus.

The disqualification decision was met with a storm of criticism. Many argued it was hasty, ignoring the athlete's well-being. Questions about the accuracy of the weighing process and potential procedural lapses further fueled the controversy.

Vinesh and the Indian Olympic Committee appealed the verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but their challenge brought no relief. CAS last week released a detailed report explaining why it dismissed the Indian wrestler's plea for a joint silver medal.  The CAS ruled that athletes must remain within their weight limits and no exceptions will be allowed.

The appeal has raised concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the sports justice system.

Vinesh is a distinguished Commonwealth Games gold medallist, having triumphed in 2014, 2018, and 2022. She made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games, securing her place in the annals of sports history with her 2018 Asian Games victory. She also earned two bronze medals at the World Wrestling Championships. In 2020, Vinesh received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honor, along with several other accolades.

Vinesh, a three-time Olympian, competed in three different weight classes: 48 kg in 2016, 53 kg in 2020, and 50 kg in 2024. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, she achieved a landmark victory by becoming the first international wrestler to defeat the reigning Olympic champion, Yui Susaki. This remarkable feat led her to become the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final.

Vinesh Phogat's story is a stark blend of remarkable triumphs and deep despair. It’s more than just a lost medal; it’s a shattered dream and a wounded spirit. This tragic tale exposes a system that values victory over the well-being of its athletes and calls for a fundamental change.

We need a sports ecosystem that supports and nurtures its champions, rather than consuming them. It’s time to move beyond mere accolades and adopt an approach that values athletes as much as their achievements. Can a system that sacrifices its champions truly claim to be a champion of sport? The answer is clear.