The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has once again postponed its ruling in the case of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, leaving her medal hopes in limbo. Phogat, who remains in Paris after leaving the Olympic Village, had been eagerly awaiting today’s decision, which was expected to determine whether she would be awarded a medal. However, the CAS has deferred its final verdict to August 16 at 6 PM.
Vinesh Phogat had approached the CAS after being disqualified from the 50kg wrestling final due to a minor weight discrepancy. She has requested that the CAS award her a silver medal based on her semi-final victory, arguing that she deserves recognition alongside Cuban wrestler Yusnielis Guzmán López, who she defeated in the semis.
Phogat’s legal team, led by Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, presented her case, emphasizing that the silver medal should be awarded to Phogat alone. The Indian Olympic Association and her lawyers remain cautiously optimistic about a favorable ruling.
The CAS had initially planned to deliver its verdict on August 8 but has now postponed the decision three times, with the latest date set for August 16. Typically, the CAS resolves such matters within 24 hours, but the repeated delays in this case indicate a thorough and complex deliberation by the panel. Singhania noted that the CAS panel appears to be giving serious consideration to the case and expressed hope for a landmark decision. He affirmed that, regardless of the outcome, Vinesh Phogat remains a champion in the eyes of her supporters.