Today, the story of Vinesh Phogat’s heartbreaking weight issue at the Olympics lingers heavily in my thoughts. A mere 100 grams—that tiny margin cost her a chance at the medal, and perhaps a shot at fulfilling her dreams and the hopes of a nation.

The weight of responsibility here seems to rest on multiple shoulders. On the surface, it's easy to point fingers at Vinesh herself. Athletes are trained to maintain strict discipline, and weight management is a crucial aspect of preparation. But to lay the blame solely on her would be too simplistic and unfair.

Behind every athlete is a team—coaches, nutritionists, and support staff—whose job is to monitor and ensure that everything, down to the last gram, is in check. It makes me wonder: where was the vigilance? How did this tiny but critical oversight slip through the cracks? Was there a miscommunication or a lapse in the system designed to support her?

It's frustrating to think about the small margins that can decide such monumental outcomes. In a sport where every ounce of energy and focus is crucial, such a slip-up feels almost tragic. I can only imagine the weight on Vinesh’s heart as she stepped onto that scale, realizing the enormity of what was at stake.

And the realization is even more painful when you consider that no appeal would matter in this scenario. The rules at the Olympics are ironclad, and weight categories are strict for a reason. Once an athlete is found overweight, even by a gram, there’s no room for reconsideration or leniency. It’s an instant disqualification, a harsh but necessary measure to maintain fairness across the competition. The finality of it all is what makes this situation so devastating. There’s no second chance, no do-over—just the cold reality of a missed opportunity.

This incident brings to light the delicate balance between individual responsibility and systemic support. Athletes like Vinesh, who have fought so hard to reach such heights, should never be left to shoulder the burden of such mistakes alone. It’s a collective failure, one that serves as a harsh reminder of how even the smallest detail in the journey to greatness cannot be overlooked.

For Vinesh, now 29 years old, this blow is especially brutal. At an age when many athletes start contemplating the twilight of their careers, she must grapple with the shattering of a dream she worked her entire life to achieve. The hope of Olympic glory, something that might never come again, was snatched away in a matter of moments. At this stage in her career, the chances for redemption are slim, and the heartbreak of this missed chance is likely to linger long after the games are over.

As I sip my evening chai, I can't help but think of the weight Vinesh must still carry—heavier than any 100 grams—of missed opportunity, of a dream deferred, but hopefully, not defeated.

But as I reflect on her journey, one quote comes to mind:

"Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success."

In this moment of despair, I hope Vinesh finds the strength to rise again, knowing that every setback is just another step on the path to greatness... KTS

- by Kaizar T Shakir.