Mumbai, Aug 13 (UNI) Speaking out in support of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was controversially disqualified from the finals due to weight issues, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar emphasized the need to revisit the rules of sports, arguing that she deserves to be awarded the silver medal she fought for.
"Time for an Umpire’s Call! Every sport has rules, and those rules need to be seen in context, maybe even revisited at times," Tendulkar said on X.
"Vinesh Phogat qualified fair and square for the finals. Her disqualification by weight was before the finals, and hence, for her to be robbed of a deserving silver medal defies logic and sporting sense," he said.
Phogat, who had a stellar performance leading up to the finals, was disqualified before her final bout due to not meeting the weight requirements. Despite this, Tendulkar argued that her achievements in reaching the top two should not be overlooked.
"It would have been understandable if an athlete were to have been disqualified for ethical breaches such as the usage of performance-enhancing drugs. In that case, to not be awarded any medal and be placed last would be justifiable," Tendulkar continued. "However, Vinesh beat her opponents fairly to reach the top two. She definitely deserves a silver medal."
The disqualification has raised questions about the fairness of the rules governing weight classifications in wrestling and whether they should be applied with more flexibility in certain situations.
Tendulkar’s comments have added significant weight to the ongoing debate, as many in the sports world await a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "While we all wait for a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, let us hope and pray that Vinesh gets the recognition she deserves," Tendulkar concluded.
As the wrestling community and sports fans across the nation continue to discuss the implications of this case, the final decision from CAS will be crucial in determining whether Phogat will receive the silver medal that many, including Tendulkar, believe she rightfully earned.
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