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‘It’s crushing news for her and India’ – Wrestler Vinesh Phogat disqualified before Olympic final

Phogat had become the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified just hours before the Olympic women's 50kg freestyle final after failing to make weight.

The 29-year-old had become the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final and was set to fight the USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt for the gold medal in Paris, but the disqualification means she will not receive a medal of any colour.

Phogat weighed in a few grams above the 50kg limit on the morning of the final, the Indian Olympic Association said.

The sparked disappointment in India including from India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi who described Phogat as “a champion among champions” and said “today’s setback hurts”.

Indian journalist Kunal Basu tells Sport Today’s Lee James about the situation and what the reaction has been like in India.

Image: Vinesh Phogat of Team India (red) competes with Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Team Cuba (blue) during the Wrestling Women's Freestyle 50kg Semifinal on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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