Mary Kom, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, displayed solidarity towards three-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat for failing to make the cut in the 50kg final at Paris 2024 but pointed out that weight management is the athlete’s responsibility.

“I felt so disappointed in the sense that I have also done the same (weight management) for the last so many years. Weight is important, that is my responsibility. I cannot blame anyone,” she said.

“I do not want to say this in her case. I am saying this in my case only. If I do not cut the weight properly then how will I play? I am there to win a medal and that is what I think,” she continued.

For the unversed, the two-time World Championships bronze medallist was disqualified for failing to meet her weight by a little over 100 gms.

The premier Indian wrestler and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had appealed to the CAS for a joint silver medal alongside Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman.

The Sole Arbitrator of the highest sporting court Annabelle Bennett mentioned that the consequences of the failed second weigh-in are draconian although there were no illegal acts involved in the matter, additionally, mentioning the factors explained by the applicant for the plea.

Notably, the verdict also mentioned that the onus was on the applicant to maintain her weight as the same rules apply to all the Olympians, due to which Phogat was found ineligible to compete in the 50kg category final against American Sarah Hildebrandt.