US Wrestling Legend Jordan Burroughs Wants Vinesh Phogat to Get the Silver Medal Amidst Controversy
The wrestling fraternity is rocked by the news of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris 2024 Olympics. In her weigh-in for the gold medal bout, Phogat missed the weight by 100 grams and was disqualified; this outcome sparked outrage not only in India but everywhere globally.
Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification Shakes Wrestling Community
Ironically, US wrestling great Jordan Burroughs has now come out to the public eye, speaking of demanding a silver medal for Phogat even after her disqualification. Burroughs, a six-time World Championship gold medalist and gold medalist at the London 2012 Olympics himself, took to social media platform X to express solidarity with Phogat, whom he hailed as a very good friend. He lashed out against the current regulations by United World Wrestling. His comments reflect a greater issue that wrestlers go through in terms of weight management, especially when competing in big-ticket events like the Olympics.
Jordan Burroughs Demands Change
He shared on his post that he is frustrated with the current rules which, he believes, put athletes in a very compromising situation. Weight regulations, according to him, are too strict and do not take into consideration the amount of physical and mental stress wrestlers go through during competitions. “Maybe stories like this will wake up the IOC. Wrestling needs MORE than six weight classes! “No athlete should have to spend the night in a sauna preparing for a gold medal like that after three tough matches against some of the best in the world,” Burroughs said about the extreme measures taken by Phogat and her team to make weight.
Changes he thinks Burroughs suggested to the rules right now towards having a better and more fair setting for athletes, he said, are:
1 kg Second Day Weight Allowance: Allow wrestlers a bit higher weight on the second day, which helps ease the pressures during weigh-ins.
Weigh-ins Moved from 8:30 am to 10:30 am: Expanding the time for weigh-ins allows athletes sufficient time to prepare accordingly and reach the weight limits.
If the weight is missed, it means forfeiture in the future finals. Any miss of the weight by a finalist should forfeit his place to uphold the sanctity of the competition.
Medals sealed for both finalists after victory in the semifinals: Both finalists should seal their medals irrespective of the weight, provided they had made weight after their semifinal victories. Then, only the gold medal would be given to a wrestler who makes weight on the second day.
Award the Silver Medal to Vinesh Phogat: While acknowledging her efforts, also the extreme circumstances under which she was disqualified.
Support from the Fellow Athletes
The comments by Burroughs reverberated across the wrestling fraternity, including fellow Indian wrestler and Olympic medalist Sakshee Malikkh. She agreed with Burroughs that there is a definite need for changes in the rules so that no such situation arises in the future. This confirms the feeling of unity amongst the wrestling fraternity with an agenda of seeking fair treatment for wrestlers on the podium and more so the weight management protocols.
Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Contingent in Paris, shed some light on the Extensive Efforts Made by Phogat and her medical team in the run-up to the weigh in extreme measures like shaving her locks, trimming garments, and undergoing sauna sessions in order to shed the required weight. The extremity of these actions brings more pointedly into focus the undue pressure that wrestlers undergo to make weight, putting a question mark over the present regulations.
Stand of United World Wrestling
The hue and cry notwithstanding, and the support that has been coming Phogat’s way, the UWW President Nenad Lalovic has dug in his heels insisting rules are rules, no matter what the situation is for an athlete to be disqualified. “Rules are rules,” Lalovic insisted while calling for preserving the integrity of the sport even in the face of sad situations. Added to this is the strict adherence to regulations, which has received a lot of criticism from the wrestling community, arguing that the rules should have some flexibility considering the intricacies of wrestling competition.
Conclusion: A Call to Reform Wrestling Regulations
This places the Vinesh Phogat situation in intensive debate within the wrestling circle over the fairness and practicability of the current weight management regulations. The calls for reforms that have athletes’ well-being at the forefront yet still retain the integrity of the sport are mounting.
With the wrestling fraternity coming out in support of Phogat, this case may work as a catalyst to bring change that will never let any other athlete face what Phogat went through. Her story, from Vinesh Phogat, shows determination and resilience to fight back, which raises questions about adopting a more humane approach toward the weight management regime in wrestling and looks forward to one where athletes are protected while competing at their best.
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