Vinesh Phogat was the first Indian wrestler to reach the finals of the Olympics. The dream was shattered by a mere 100 grams of weight, which is as insignificant as the weight of a deck of cards or a pair of socks. Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight just before competing for the gold medal in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling category finals. She and her team made relentless attempts to lose weight overnight, resorting to extreme weight loss techniques like pumping blood and cutting hair, but just 100 grams thwarted all hopes. This is not the first time for the star wrestler. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she was disqualified for being overweight in the qualifying event after she exceeded the 48 kg limit by 400 grams.

This is very common in sports with weight categories, such as wrestling and boxing, where even a small amount of weight, as insignificant as a packet of coriander or a bar of soap, can shatter the dreams of athletes and the entire nation that supports them. This requires extreme weight-loss measures. Mary Kom was several kilos overweight in the 48kg category at a tournament in Poland and managed to lose 2 kilos in four hours overnight. Aman Sehrawat, who won the bronze medal in the men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling category at the Paris Olympics, lost 4.5 kilos in 10 hours before the weigh-in the next day.

See also: How Aman Sehrawat escaped Vinesh Phogat’s cruel fate by losing 4.6 kg in 10 hours to be ready for the Olympic bronze play-off

Strenuous measures

Weight loss is a technique where athletes lose weight rapidly in a short period of time. It is a common practice in sports with strict weight limits, especially in the Olympics. In addition to restricting food, it also involves getting rid of fluid and water content in the body. On the morning of these sports tournaments, athletes are weighed to see if they meet the weight criteria. If they exceed the set weight limit, they are disqualified. In order to meet the weight criteria, athletes embark on a tumultuous weight loss journey in the weeks leading up to the tournament to lose at least 10 percent of their body mass. The last 24 hours before the weigh-in are particularly challenging, with athletes skipping meals and fluids to lose the last few grams.

Weeks before the tournament, they give up carbs like roti and rice and turn to salads and create a calorie deficit to lose weight. It’s a combination of diet, training and rigorous workouts. As the tournament draws closer, their diets drop and athletes skip meals and train on an empty stomach. Fluid intake is also monitored weeks in advance.

On the last day, athletes usually only stay 1 to 1.5 kilos over the weight limit. The last 24 hours are crucial because they have lost all the possible weight. At this stage, only excess water needs to be eliminated, so they drink as little water as possible. Wrestlers wear thick hooded tops or jackets and train intensively, trying to sweat out the remaining grams. They usually run in thick sweaters in humid conditions. Water intake almost stops, as they push themselves to the brink of dehydration. In extreme cases, athletes resort to wearing sauna suits that feel like ovens, pushing themselves with intense workouts such as running or taking boiling hot baths to sweat out the remaining kilos. This dehydration is extremely harmful to the body.

See also: Vinesh Phogat’s CAS hearing ends, IOA expects ‘positive resolution’ for Paris Olympics silver medal claim

Health hazards

Deliberate and prolonged dehydration can lead to serious health problems. Dehydration can cause loss of strength and electrolyte imbalance, dizziness, fatigue, blurred memory, and even fainting. Excessive exercise without fluid intake can lead to hypothermia, where the core body temperature drops. Abnormally high levels of sweating from excessive exercise can lower the body’s temperature below normal, leading to heart attacks and kidney failure.

This whole ordeal is for the sake of participating in the competition, but it also poses a risk for the tournament. Concentration levels drop during matches, so much so that the opponent looks blurry at first. Low water content also causes delayed joint movements in the long run. Drastic weight loss also leads to kidney problems and other organ damage in the long run. The recovery process after the match is far from normal. Athletes are faced with the challenge of restoring their body’s water levels to normal and rehydrating. If they are dehydrated, they cannot simply consume large amounts of water; doing so too quickly can overwhelm the body and lead to vomiting as the body rejects the excess fluid. Apart from the physical consequences, losing weight is also harmful mentally, affecting self-esteem and self-confidence before the match.

See also: Hopeful about CAS verdict on Vinesh: Advocate Singhania

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician if you have questions regarding any medical condition.