NEW DELHI: The 2024 Paris Olympics provided Indian sports fans with several memorable moments, but none as electrifying as wrestler Vinesh Phogat's dramatic victory over World No. 1 Yui Susaki of Japan in the Round of 16.
In a bout that felt like a final, Phogat overturned a 0-2 deficit with a calculated move in the final 10 seconds, ending Susaki's remarkable 82-bout win streak and securing a famous win for India.
Watch and relive the famous win:
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Just a day later, Vinesh faced a shocking disqualification for being 100 grams overweight before her scheduled women's 50kg freestyle final against the USA's Sarah Hildebrandt.
The disqualification has since been a major topic of discussion, with the Indian sports fraternity and fans eagerly awaiting the verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAS, which set up a special ad-hoc division for dispute resolution during the Olympics, accepted Vinesh's appeal against her disqualification on Friday. Having heard arguments from all parties involved, CAS is expected to deliver its final verdict on Tuesday, potentially overturning or upholding the disqualification.
The Games officially concluded on Sunday with a grand ceremony at the Stade de France, the main venue for the track and field events. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat was seen leaving the Olympic Games village on Monday, preparing to return to India.
"Vinesh Phogat is traveling to India tonight with Olympic bronze winner Aman Sehrawat and will reach Delhi at 10:30 am IST," sources told IANS.
The Indian sports community remains on edge as the CAS verdict approaches.
Vinesh's dramatic comeback victory against Susaki and her subsequent disqualification have made her one of the most talked-about athletes of the 2024 Olympics. All eyes will be on the court's decision, which could have significant implications for the future of the star wrestler.
1/9:Paris Olympics: Indian athletes who finished just shy of the podium
PTI
2/9:Manu Bhaker
<p>The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded with India experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. While the nation had high hopes for a successful campaign, several athletes narrowly missed out on securing a spot on the podium.<br /><br /><br /></p>PTI
3/9:Arjun Babuta
Arjun Babuta came close to securing a medal in the men's 10m air pistol event but fell short by a narrow margin. Despite his best efforts, Babuta couldn't quite reach the podium, finishing just outside the medal positions in a highly competitive field.PTI
4/9:Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat
Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat delivered India's best Olympic performance in mixed team archery, finishing fourth. They narrowly missed out on a historic medal, losing 6-2 to the American duo of Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold in the bronze match.AFP
5/9:Mirabhai Chanu
Mirabai Chanu, who secured a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, faced disappointment in the women's 49kg weightlifting event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her fourth-place finish added to India's series of close calls and missed opportunities in the competition.AFP
6/9:Anant Jeet Singh and Maheshwari Chauhan
Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan, the Indian representatives in the mixed skeet competition, faced a heartbreaking loss to their rivals from China. The intense battle for the bronze medal concluded with the slimmest of margins, as the Chinese team edged out the Indian duo by a single point.PTI
7/9:Lakshya Sen
<p><br /><br />In the battle for the bronze medal, Sen faced off against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia. However, the young Indian talent was unable to secure a spot on the podium, as he succumbed to a loss against his Malaysian opponent.</p>PTI
8/9:Lakshya Sen and Viktor Axelsen
Lakshya Sen etched his name in the annals of Indian badminton by becoming the first male shuttler from the country to advance to the Olympic semifinals. Sen's journey came to an end in the penultimate round, where he was defeated by the reigning champion, Viktor Axelsen.PTI
