‘It’s A Failure of Vinesh’s Support Staff’: WFI Chief Sanjay Singh Slams Wrestler’s Support

In yet another spanner being thrown into the works, that is Vinesh Phogat’s hunt for Olympic Silver as she awaits the verdict of the CAS, WFI President Sanjay Singh has come out in support of the wrestler and called out Vinesh’s support staff for their failure to help her maintain weight for the final.

Much has been said already regarding the Vinesh Phogat saga, as multiple postponements of the verdict ensues. Blame has been thrown around to all sides of the equation, from Vinesh herself, to her support staff, to even the IOC and the UWW. But, now as the chief of the WFI himself, Sanjay Singh has taken it to Vinesh Phogat’s support staff and team at the Paris Olympics, and has pointed them out as the reason behind the wrestler’s failure to make the weight for her historic final bout.

“It’s a failure of Vinesh’s support staff… Maintaining weight is the duty of the staff,” stated Sanjay Singh to CNN News18.

“I don’t know how she was trying to lose her weight..Her team would know that.”

Sanjay Singh had already previously come down heavily on Vinesh’s support staff for the oversight of the wrestler being found overweight before her Olympic final.

In fact, Singh had even called for an investigation and urged the Indian government to ‘take strict action against those responsible because they have let down 1.4 billion people of India’.

“I do not consider it Vinesh’s fault because she was performing exceptionally well. Our coach and supporting staff, including the physio and nutritionist, should have ensured she did not face any issues. This situation warrants an investigation, and I demand the Indian government take strict action against those responsible because they have let down 1.4 billion people of India.”

Vinesh has appealed against her disqualification from the 50kg category Olympic finals in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), demanding that she be awarded a joint silver medal after being forced out for being 100g overweight in the weigh-in.

While she was overweight for the weigh-in, she had made weight for her previous bouts that took place on Tuesday, which could possibly prove to be enough grounds for the CAS to overturn the decision.

(with PTI inputs)