Vinesh Phogat, Indian female wrestler who fought against sexual harassment, disqualified after making Olympic history

The Indian Olympic Association declined to comment on the matter and requested privacy for Phogat.

The 29-year-old, who was scheduled to face Sarah Hildebrandt of the US in Wednesday’s final, defeated reigning gold medallist Yui Susaki of Japan 3-2. He then defeated Oksana of Ukraine in the quarterfinals and Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba in the semifinals.

Many fans say Phogat’s disqualification was particularly heartbreaking considering what she represents for women in her home country. Last year, she led a group of fellow wrestlers in protesting the behavior of then-WFI president and lawmaker Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In a letter dated January 2023, the group accused Singh of sexually harassing several young female wrestlers. They also alleged that after Phogat missed out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Singh “mentally harassed and tortured” her, causing the wrestler to nearly contemplate suicide.

The group led by Phogat demanded an investigation and called for Singh to be disbanded and the WFI disbanded. Allegations against Singh include groping and inappropriate physical contact. He was charged with sexual assault, stalking and sexual harassment in June last year and the trial is ongoing. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.

“We as senior wrestlers fighting for the country only want to ensure a safe and secure place and environment for our young wrestlers, especially women wrestlers,” Phogat and several other athletes wrote in the letter to the Indian Olympic Association. “They do not deserve to be in an environment of intimidation. We will not budge until the WFI president is sacked.”

For several months, the wrestlers also filed complaints with the police and organized marches and other forms of resistance. Last May, Phogat and other protesters were forcibly dragged away and detained by riot police, accused of disturbing the peace after they tried to march toward the Parliament building. They also slept on the streets of New Delhi for 40 days before Singh was charged.

“Today we can stand without fear, raise our heads, look him in the eye, the man we feared for so many years,” Phogat wrote in the Indian Express. “Brij Bhushan’s message is that we will not go anywhere until women wrestlers get justice.”

Since Phogat’s disqualification, India’s opposition leaders have interrupted parliament to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak out. Modi has not condemned the ruling that disqualified her in Paris, but has praised Phogat as a “champion among champions.”