Sarah Hildebrandt Wins Olympic Gold in Paris

Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA won the gold medal in the women's 50 kg freestyle wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympics by defeating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 3-0. Her opponent, India's Vinesh Phogat, was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit, a situation that shocked the wrestling community and had significant socio-political implications in India. Despite attempts by her team to help her shed the excess weight, including drastic measures like cutting her hair, Phogat was unable to compete in the final, marking a devastating turn in her Olympic journey. Hildebrandt's win is notable as it adds to the momentum of USA women's wrestling, following another gold by Amit Elor. The disqualification of Phogat not only ended her hopes for gold but also prompted widespread criticism of the support staff's preparation. With India missing out on potential medals, the incident has sparked discussions about athlete management in high-stakes competitions.