Saji Chacko
THE disqualification of star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on the morning of her gold medal match at the Paris Olympics broke a billion hearts back home. Life had come full circle for the 29-year-old who only hours before had scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to enter Olympics final in the 50-kg category.
In the weigh-in done on August 7 morning, Vinesh’s was found overweight by 100 gram leading to her disqualification.
Reports suggest that the Indian contingent, including Vinesh, her support staff and the IOA members, had come to know the previous night that she was overweight after her semifinal bout. They then resorted to everything – from cutting her hair, shortening her clothes – besides Vinesh skipping and cycling throughout the night, but all that to no avail.
Apart from this national heart-break, the Indian performance so far (two weeks since the mega event began) has been rather lackluster with the country bagging just three medals as against the total Tokyo tally of seven. But there is hope still.
Javelin King Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion threw a massive heave of 89.34 metres, which fetched him the top spot among the 12 best. He is the overwhelming favourite to win the gold when the finals are held. Also the Indian men’s hockey team is set to fight it out for the bronze against Spain. Among the three medal winners so far, it’s Manu Bhaker who has been the undisputed star. She scripted history when she became the only Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.
The 22-year-old from Jhajjar in Haryana, opened India’s medal account when she won the bronze in the individual 10 m pistol event. Thereafter, she combined with Sarabjot Singh in the 10 m mixed team to fetch another bronze for India. Shooter Swapnil Khusale is the lone male medalist, having clinched the bronze in the 50-m rifle 3-position event. The 29-year-old from Kohlapur showed great poise to win his maiden medal.
