Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the 50kg final at the Paris Olympics, has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Phogat was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit while competing for the gold medal with Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the USA.

Phogat was disqualified on Wednesday after she exceeded the weight limit by 2.7 kg following her semi-final match. India’s Olympic contingent’s Chief Medical Officer Dinshaw Pardiwala said efforts to reduce her weight, including restricting food and water intake, had failed.

An Indian Olympic Association (IOA) source confirmed Phogat’s appeal to CAS and demanded a silver medal. “Vinesh Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification and demanded a silver medal. CAS will announce its decision tomorrow morning,” ANI reported, citing sources.

Phogat defeated Cuban Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals to advance to the final. The disqualification drew backlash from the Indian Olympic Association, with President PT Usha expressing shock and disappointment. Usha confirmed that Phogat was physically and medically fine, but mentally frustrated.

“I was shocked and disappointed after hearing the news of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification. I had come here to meet Vinesh; she is physically and medically fine. Mentally, she is frustrated. Our support team is with her, doing everything they can to help her lose weight,” Usha said. India has won three bronze medals at the Paris Olympics so far, all in shooting. The country narrowly missed out on additional medals by finishing fourth in events like the 10m air rifle, 25m pistol, skeet team, badminton singles and mixed archery team events. The outcome of Phogat’s appeal will be closely watched as India looks to add to its medal tally.(With inputs from ANI)