As hearings wrap up and only the verdict remains, there could be a crucial ‘gap’ in the United world wrestling (UWW) rulebook that could potentially benefit Phogat, according to media reports.
According to current regulations, Phogat was disqualified because he failed to pass the weigh-in by just 100 grams. UWW Rules The rules state that no exceptions can be made for such violations, which would seemingly rule out the possibility of awarding Phogat a silver medal. However, an intriguing loophole in the rules could offer Phogat a chance.
The key issue revolves around the rules of the repechage round. UWW rules stipulate that the repechage opportunity is granted to wrestlers who lose to the finalists. In the 50kg freestyle final, Japan’s Yui Susaki was granted the opportunity to compete in the repechage round. However, since Phogat was disqualified and did not officially participate in the final bout, the basis for Susaki’s participation in the repechage round is questionable, media reports suggested.
According to the rules, Susaki should not have been eligible for the repechage because Phogat’s disqualification eliminated her from consideration for the final bout. Therefore, the decision to include Susaki in the repechage may have been contrary to UWW regulations.
As the final CAS hearing approaches, the Indian legal team will have to focus on this potential discrepancy. If successful, this loophole could swing the verdict in Phogat’s favour and possibly earn him the silver medal he was denied.What is the case of Vinesh Phogat?
Star wrestler Vinesh, who stormed into the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle event with three convincing wins, including against wrestling royalty Yui Susaki of Japan at the Paris Olympics, was ruled out of the gold medal bout against eventual winner Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States as she was found 100 grams over the prescribed limit at the usual morning weigh-in. After losing the guaranteed medal for the country, the dejected wrestler filed an appeal against the decision at the CAS and demanded that she be given a joint silver with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had lost to Vinesh but was later promoted to the final following the Indian’s disqualification.
Who represents Vinesh Phogat?
Vinesh’s legal team includes French lawyers Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim and Charles Amson, who assisted her and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) during the application process. These lawyers were provided to her by the Paris Bar Association and are handling the case pro bono.
Additionally, senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania have also been called in to assist her in the case.
Salve served as India’s Solicitor General from 1999 to 2003. He also represented India before the International Court of Justice in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.
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