Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the 2024 Paris Olympics for being overweight. See how Bollywood reacted.
Vinesh Phogat was on the verge of creating history at the Paris Olympics 2024, but has since been disqualified for being ‘overweight’. Following the announcement, various Bollywood stars, including Farhan Akhtar, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, and Vicky Kaushal, flocked to social media to express their support for the wrestler. (Also read: ‘Who believes this 100gms overweight story?’: Swara Bhasker, Huma surprised by Vinesh Phogat’s Olympics ban)
‘My heart is broken for you.‘
Alia Bhatt stated on her Instagram Stories, “Vinesh Phogat, you are an inspiration to the entire nation.” Nothing can take away your resilience, courage, or the challenges you’ve overcome to make history! Today, you must be heartbroken, and we are with you. But, woman, you are gold, iron, steel! Nothing can take that from you! A champion for all ages! There’s no one like you.
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Farhan Akhtar posted a picture of Vinesh on Instagram with the remark, “Dear @vineshphogat.. One can only image how upset you must be and still not completely comprehend. I’m heartbroken for you that the quest ended this way. But please know that we are all extremely proud of you and what you have accomplished for the sport. You will continue to be a champion and an inspiration to millions. “Keep your chin up.”
Also read: ‘No, no, no’: heartbroken Vinesh Phogat fans, including Anand Mahindra, react to Olympic disqualification
Zoya Akhtar posted on Instagram: “Champion ♥️ @vineshphogat.” You are made of gold! What you have accomplished goes beyond medals. So proud. “So inspired.” Dia Mirza remarked, “Absolutely.”
‘A winner beyond medals.‘
Vicky Kaushal took to Instagram Stories to share a story of the wrestler’s disqualification, writing, “A winner beyond medals! (Indian flag and red heart emoticons)”
Taapsee Pannu posted on Instagram Stories, “This is heartbreaking, but honestly, this woman has already made her mark beyond gold.” Sonakshi Sinha remarked in her Instagram Stories, “Unbelievable! I can’t image how you’re feeling right now and don’t know what to say except that you were, are, and always will be a champion.
Vinesh made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal round on Tuesday night. She was discovered to be 100-150 grams over the allowed limit and hence disqualified. According to the Indian Express, she was two kilograms above her weight at night and hence did not sleep to attempt everything she could to meet the eligibility criteria, including jogging, skipping, and cycling. She fell due to dehydration minutes after being disqualified and is currently hospitalized.
