Weight Cutting: India was devastated when wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from competing in the gold medal match at the Olympic Games on August 7. Vinesh was on the verge of making history as the first Indian wrestler and woman athlete to win Olympic gold. However, she could not meet the required weight on the morning of the final round. The athlete had pushed herself to the limit, engaging in intense cardio and cycling overnight desperately trying to shed 100 grams. Unfortunately, the effort led to severe dehydration, and Vinesh was subsequently hospitalised, which broke all hopes and the nation's dreams of Olympic glory.

Olympic medallist boxer Vijender Singh said that the issue of being overweight is nothing. “In case an athlete is overweight - steam bath, sauna, running - all are done to reduce a few grams. This is a very hard decision, we should fight the decision," Vijender Singh said in a media interaction.

In sports with strict weight categories like wrestling and boxing, even the slightest weight difference can shatter the dreams of athletes and the hopes of an entire nation. This pressure often forces athletes to undertake extreme weight-cutting measures. For instance, Mary Kom, competing in the 48 kg category at a tournament in Poland, was overweight by a few kilos but managed to shed 2 kilos in just four hours overnight.

Similarly, Aman Sehrawat, who secured a bronze at the Paris Olympics in the men's 57 kg freestyle wrestling category, had to lose 4.5 kgs within 10 hours before his weight-in the next day.

But is it safe to lose weight suddenly? What technique do athletes use to fit in the category?

As per reports, athletes follow a ‘weight-cutting’ technique where they quickly shed weight in a short period. This technique is commonly used in sports with strict weight limits, especially at the Olympics. This process involves not only restricting food intake but also eliminating fluid and water content from the body. Athletes are weighed on the morning of the competition to ensure they meet the required weight criteria; if they exceed the limit, disqualification is inevitable. To meet these demands, athletes often undergo intense weight loss regimens weeks before the event, aiming to shed at least 10 per cent of their body mass. The final 24 hours before weigh-in are particularly exhausting, with athletes forgoing meals and fluids to lose those last few grams.

“We tried every drastic weight-cutting measure throughout the night, including cutting her hair and shortening her clothes, but we still couldn't get her down to the 50 kg category,” said Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian contingent in Paris. The weight-cutting process before a morning weigh-in involves a calculated restriction of food and water, along with methods to induce sweating through saunas and exercise.

After his semi-final defeat on Thursday, August 8, Aman Sehrawat faced the daunting task of shedding 4.5 kg in just 10 hours to meet the 57 kg weight limit. Starting with a 1.5-hour mat session of standing wrestling, he followed it with a 1-hour hot bath session to start sweating. At 12:30 am, he ran non-stop on the treadmill for an hour in the gym. After a 30-minute break, he continued with five 5-minute sauna sessions. Despite these efforts, he was still 900g over the limit, so he received a massage and did light jogging. Aman completed five 15-minute running sessions, eventually reaching 56.9 kg by 4:30 am, just 100g under the limit. Throughout, he was hydrated with lukewarm water, lemon, honey, and a bit of coffee, remaining awake until the weigh-in.

Weight-cutting techniques can pose significant health risks, including:

- Dehydration: Rapid weight loss often involves significant fluid loss, leading to dehydration. Severe dehydration can cause dizziness, fainting, kidney damage, and in extreme cases, life-threatening conditions like heatstroke.

- Electrolyte Imbalance: The loss of fluids also depletes the body’s electrolytes, which are crucial for muscle function, heart rhythm, and overall cellular function. An imbalance can result in muscle cramps, weakness, heart arrhythmias, and even cardiac arrest.

- Reduced Muscle Mass and Strength: In the process of weight-cutting, athletes may lose muscle mass, leading to decreased strength and endurance. This not only impacts performance but also increases the risk of injury.

- Nutritional Deficiencies: Restrictive diets during weight-cutting can lead to insufficient intake of essential nutrients, weakening the immune system, impairing cognitive function, and causing long-term health issues like osteoporosis or anaemia.

- Mental Health Issues: The intense pressure to lose weight rapidly can cause anxiety, stress, and eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia. The psychological toll of these practices can have long-lasting effects on an athlete’s mental well-being.

- Impaired Cognitive Function: Dehydration and nutrient deprivation can impair concentration, reaction times, and decision-making, which can be dangerous in high-stakes competitive environments.

- Long-Term Organ Damage: Repeated weight-cutting can lead to chronic damage to organs, particularly the kidneys and liver, due to the strain of dehydration and nutritional imbalances.

- Hormonal Imbalances: Extreme weight loss can disrupt normal hormone production, affecting metabolism, reproductive health, and overall energy levels, potentially leading to conditions like amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycles) in female athletes.

- Compromised Immune System: The combination of nutrient deficiencies and physical stress weakens the immune system, making athletes more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

Disclaimer: Please do not take up weight-cutting techniques on your own as it is not recommended to do without professional guidance.

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