Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most cherished athletes, announced her retirement after being disqualified for being just 100 grams overweight in the 50 kg category ahead of the Paris Olympics wrestling final. It’s a moment that has left millions in shock, grappling with the suddenness of her departure and the cruel twist of fate that ended her journey.

The heartbreak wasn’t just hers alone. It spread like wildfire through the hearts of her fans, her countrymen, and everyone who has followed her remarkable journey. How could a mere 100 grams—a number so small and insignificant in the grand scheme of life—carry the weight of an entire nation’s dreams? But in the world of combat sports, where every gram counts, it’s a weight too heavy to bear.

“Mother, wrestling beat me, I lost. Your dream and my courage are all broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be in your debt,” Vinesh wrote on X, her words echoing the pain and resignation of a warrior defeated not by her opponents, but by her own body.

Why does weight matter so much?

In wrestling, as in other combat sports like boxing, judo, and MMA, athletes compete in weight classes to ensure fair and competitive matches. The idea is simple: fighters of similar weight are likely to have comparable physical attributes, making the competition more balanced. Without these weight classes, smaller athletes would be at a severe disadvantage, regardless of their technical prowess.

To enforce these weight categories, athletes undergo a process known as weigh-ins. According to United World Wrestling’s (UWW) Olympic rules, wrestlers are weighed on the morning of their competition, wearing their singlet. This weigh-in is not just a formality; it’s a critical part of the competition, and failing to meet the weight requirement means immediate disqualification.

But as Vinesh Phogat’s story painfully illustrates, maintaining a specific weight is far from easy. Weight isn’t a static number; it fluctuates constantly based on what we eat, drink, and how much we sweat. For athletes like Vinesh, whose weight can mean the difference between glory and despair, this fluctuation is a daily battle. And sometimes, even the most disciplined efforts fall short, as they did for Vinesh.

Rapid Weight Loss is Highly Risky

The risks of rapid weight cutting are well-documented, yet the practice remains widespread in combat sports. Athletes often push their bodies to dangerous extremes to shed those last few grams, risking severe dehydration, cardiovascular issues, and even death. In 2018, UFC fighter Uriah Hall suffered a mini-seizure and a slight heart attack during weight cutting, a stark reminder of the dangers athletes face. Tragically, in 2015, Chinese MMA fighter Yang Jian Bing died due to dehydration while cutting weight.

Despite these risks, athletes continue to engage in rapid weight loss to gain a competitive edge. After weigh-ins, they often attempt to regain as much weight as possible before the competition, believing that a heavier frame will give them an advantage. But this strategy comes with significant health risks, including heat illness, brain injury, and hormonal imbalances.

Vinesh Phogat’s story is a reminder of the price athletes pay in the pursuit of greatness. As we grapple with the emotional impact of her retirement, it’s crucial to understand the lengths to which athletes go to make weight, and the toll it takes on their bodies and minds.

Read : Men's Health – Common Weight Loss Mistakes You Should Avoid

Science-Driven Rapid Weight Loss Tactics Used by Wrestlers

Vinesh Phogat’s story is a powerful reminder of the heartbreak that extreme weight cutting can cause. It also sheds light on the intense methods athletes use to shed weight rapidly before competitions, with regular body weight checks on weighing machines. Here are some of the most common techniques, backed by scientific data:

Water Manipulation: Wrestlers often reduce water intake and engage in activities like sauna sessions to induce sweating and reduce water weight. Regular weigh-ins are crucial, but this method can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and impaired performance.

Dietary Restriction: Athletes may follow very low-calorie diets leading up to weigh-ins, frequently monitoring their weight on the scale. While effective, this can cause muscle loss, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function.

Increased Physical Activity: Wrestlers often increase workouts, like running in sweat suits, and regularly check their weight with a weighing machine. While this can rapidly burn calories, it may result in exhaustion and decreased performance.

Salt Restriction: Limiting sodium intake can reduce water retention, leading to a temporary drop in weight. Frequent weigh-ins help track progress, but severe restriction can affect muscle function and overall hydration.

Use of Diuretics: Some athletes use diuretics to quickly flush out water, closely monitoring results with regular weigh-ins. However, this dangerous practice can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even organ damage.

While these methods can achieve rapid weight loss, they carry significant risks. Weight loss, gain, and management are inherently complex, as demonstrated by Anant Ambani's story too. Both these cases collectively highlight the critical importance of adopting safe and sustainable weight management practices.

In the end, Vinesh Phogat’s legacy will not be defined by 100 grams but by her courage, dedication, and the countless lives she has inspired.

If you're on a weight loss journey, we strongly suggest stopping these practices immediately.