Triumphant Return: Vinesh Phogat Declares ‘Our Fight is Not Over Yet’ | Live Updates & Inspiring Moments
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s coach, Woller Akos, expressed grave concerns over her rigorous weight-cutting regimen before the 50-kg final at the Paris Games. He revealed that the night before the Olympic final, Vinesh underwent an excruciating five and a half hours of weight-cutting, leaving Akos fearing for her life.
Facing intense criticism after Vinesh was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight, Akos defended their efforts in a now-deleted social media post. He detailed the team’s exhaustive attempts to meet the qualifying weight, sharing their harrowing experience. According to Akos, Vinesh had 2.7 kg to shed after her semi-final match. Despite exercising for an hour and twenty minutes, she still had 1.5 kg to lose.
Their struggle intensified as a 50-minute sauna session failed to produce any sweat. With limited options, Vinesh had to endure cardio exercises and wrestling drills from midnight until 5:30 a.m., with minimal rest between sessions. She also spent an additional hour in the sauna after collapsing but was determined to continue.
Akos emphasized Vinesh’s relentless dedication to securing her first Olympic medal, stating, “I don’t intentionally write dramatic details, but I only remember thinking that she might die.”
This incident highlights the extreme pressures athletes face in the pursuit of Olympic glory and underscores the intensity and potential dangers of weight-cutting in competitive sports.
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Original Story https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/vinesh-phogat-india-arrival-live-updates-paris-olympics-2024-9518375/
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