Sachin Tendulkar Supports Vinesh Phogat in Controversial Disqualification at Paris Olympics

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has backed Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat after her disqualification ahead of the gold-medal bout at the Paris Olympics, calling for a review of the rules. Phogat, disqualified for being 100gm overweight, has since appealed for a silver medal and announced her retirement.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Friday threw his weight behind Vinesh Phogat, stating that the disqualification of the Indian wrestler ahead of her gold-medal bout at the Paris Olympics 'defied logic and sporting sense,' and called for the rules to be revisited.

Vinesh, competing in the 50kg category, was disqualified after being found 100gm overweight during the morning weigh-in, an outcome she has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding a joint silver medal.

The disqualification has sparked a wave of sympathy for Vinesh, who announced her retirement from wrestling. Tendulkar expressed that Vinesh was unfairly denied a deserved silver medal, noting that rules need context and possibly revision. He emphasized that despite the disqualification, Vinesh's clean progression to the finals warranted a silver medal.

Tendulkar pointed out the distinction between disqualification for ethical breaches, such as doping, and Vinesh's case, which he deemed unfair. He expressed hope for a favorable CAS verdict. Vinesh’s disqualification has garnered substantial international support, with notable figures like American wrestler Jordan Burroughs advocating for her.