CAS decision on Vinesh Phogat postponed

Tribune News Service

Paris, August 10

The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has postponed the decision on star wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against disqualification from the 50kg freestyle final at the Olympics. Originally, the decision was to be announced today. But now the sole arbitrator has been given till 6pm on August 13 to announce the decision.

After she was disqualified, Vinesh had gone to the CAS, arguing that a silver medal be awarded to her — along with Yusneylis Guzman Lopez — on the grounds that on Day 1 of the competition, when she had reached the final by winning three bouts, she had met the weight criteria of 50kg.

It was at the weigh-in on Day 2, when she was to take on Sarah Hildebrandt for gold, that Vinesh was found 100 grams overweight and suspended. From an assured silver, Vinesh was classified as last. Heartbroken, she had announced her retirement from the sport.

Senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania are presenting Vinesh’s case at the CAS.