Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Vinesh Phogat has shunned claims of her not undergoing a doping test after the wrestling selection trials for the 2024 Paris Olympics.. Vinesh won the national wrestling selection trials in the 50 kg category.
Vinesh scripted a commendable comeback in the final of the national wrestling selection trials. Vinesh, who was losing 1-4, came back to win the contest 11-6 against Shivanee. She will now go to the Asian Olympics Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Following the trials, Vinesh took to social media platform ‘X’, clarifying that she did undergo doping tests after the selection trails final. Vinesh also defeated national champion Nirmala Devi 10-0 in the semi-finals of the selection trails.
“There have been claims circulating that I did not undergo a doping test after the trials. I want to clarify that I, along with all other finalists, have undergone doping tests after both the senior nationals held in the previous month and following the recent trials,” Vinesh posted on ‘X’.
She went on to say that the ad-hoc committee allowed her to participate in two categories according to the United World Wresting (UWW) regulations. Vinesh had requested the authorities to allow her to compete both in the 50 kg and 53 kg category events. She was given the green light by the authorities, despite competing in the 53 kg category throughout the majority of her career.
“Regarding my participation in the 53kg category, it is crucial to understand that Article 7 of the UWW regulations, which stipulates that each contestant may compete in only one weight category corresponding to their official weigh-in, applies to international events and not national trials,” posted Vinesh.
“This was confirmed by the Ad-hoc committee and officials, allowing me to participate in both the 50kg and 53kg categories during the trials,” her post added.
Vinesh was at the forefront of the wrestlers’ protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Vinesh will now participate in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan followed by the World Olympic Qualifiers in May. The 2024 Paris Olympics will begin July 26 and will go on till August 11.
