Indian Olympic team’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala has given a statement on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Paris Olympics. He has explained in detail how many efforts were made to reduce Vinesh’s weight and even after that she did not lose even 100 grams.
Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala said, ‘Vinesh Phogat’s weight had increased by 2 kg before the gold medal match. ‘Strict steps’ were taken to reduce her weight. However, despite working hard, Vinesh could not lose the extra 100 grams. Vinesh Phogat’s nutritionist was hopeful that her extra weight could be reduced through normal procedure, but even after three hard attempts, this procedure did not prove effective.’
Weight had increased more than normal
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The Chief Medical Officer said, ‘Sometimes there is a jump in weight after the competition. Vinesh had 3 matches. So she had to be given some amount of water to prevent dehydration. We found out that her weight had increased more than normal after the competition. The coach started the normal weight loss process, which he always does with Vinesh. He was confident that this would help Vinesh lose weight.’
overnight weight loss attempt
The doctor said that the weight reduction process was carried out overnight. In the morning, despite all the efforts, Vinesh’s weight was found to be 100 grams more than the prescribed limit. Therefore, she was declared ineligible. We tried everything possible, including cutting hair, shortening clothes. But even after this, we could not reach the weight of 50 kg weight category.
If given more time…
Dr. Pardiwala said, ‘If Vinesh Phogat had been given more time before weighing, she would have been able to lose weight. After the semi-final match, Vinesh’s weight was 2.7 kg more than the prescribed limit, which required immediate measures to reduce it. After all the efforts, we were unable to reduce the last 100 grams of weight due to the 12-hour time limit. Finally, the weighing showed that it was slightly more than the required limit. If she had got a few extra hours, Vinesh would have probably lost weight, but due to obstacles, she was disqualified.’
Dehydration causes weight loss!
He further said, ‘Usually when someone loses weight, it is usually due to dehydration. But when you drink water, it increases your weight and during the bouts, she needs to drink some amount of water because there will be a problem in participating medically. Weighing is done from 7:15 to 7:30. We completed it at the last possible time at 7:29. Vinesh’s weight was 100 grams more than the required limit. Maybe if we had a few more hours, we could have reduced that 100 grams, but we did not have enough time.’
There is weakness and lack of energy
The Chief Medical Officer said, ‘Weight loss leads to weakness and lack of energy. Therefore, most wrestlers go after it with limited water and high energy foods to restore some amount of energy. This is usually given after the weigh-in. The nutritionist calculates it according to the athlete. Vinesh’s nutritionist believed that it is okay to give her 1.5 kg of nutrition, which gives energy to her body for the whole day’s bouts.’
Why do wrestlers lose weight?
Let us tell you that wrestlers usually participate in weight categories lower than their natural weight. This gives them an advantage and they are fighting less strong opponents. The process of weight loss before weighing in the morning includes calculations regarding food and water. Apart from this, the athlete has to sweat, and that sweat is removed through sauna bath and exercise. The advantage of losing weight is that you come in the lighter weight category.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)