India has launched an extraordinary protest around Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat after she was disqualified from the gold medal match for being 100 grams over the 50kg weight limit.
And in a heartbreaking twist, the DQ extended to the entire competition, meaning she did not receive any medal, with an appeal now lodged in an attempt to claim silver.
Modi personally intervened when he called Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha to encourage the organisation to lodge a protest, according to Indian media.
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Phogat entered the event unseeded and stunned Tokyo gold medallist and top seed Yui Susaki in the first round on Tuesday.
Later that day the 29-year-old cleared Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarter-finals and Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman in the semis.
But when the remaining wrestlers weighed in again for the finals on Wednesday, Phogat’s medal hopes were over.
She had reportedly learned on Tuesday night that her weight was around 51kg and, in a desperate bid to make weight, embarked on a gruelling overnight regime without any sleep.
Cycling and other exercises brought her weight down by about 900 grams but it was not enough.
“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat,” the Indian team said.
“Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time.
“The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand.”
American Sarah Hildebrandt shook off the late change of opponent to win gold, with Guzman claiming silver.
Susaki, despite losing her only previous bout, claimed bronze after she was promoted into a bronze medal match against Livach and won.
China’s Fenq Ziqi also picked up a medal after winning a repechage and a separate bronze medal match.
Phogat’s disqualification went to the very top of India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking out on social media.
“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian,” he wrote.
“Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.
“At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on.
“Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.”
Phogat had been seemingly unbeatable on the mat as she became the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final.
She beat Susaki 3-2 before a 7-5 win over Livach and a dominant 5-0 win over Guzman.