Weight disqualification: 6 extreme things athletes do to avoid getting disqualified from their weight categories

In a stunning and distressing development, India's Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Olympics women’s wrestling final due to being overweight. Just 100 grams over the limit for the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class on the morning of the final, Phogat’s disqualification comes as a heartbreaking blow for both the athlete and the entirety of the nation she represents.

According to reports, Phogat, her coaches and support staff tried everything—from exercising through the night to more extreme measures like cutting her hair and trying to draw out blood—but their efforts did not yield the desired result.

Such weight-related disqualifications, while extremely unfortunate, are regrettably common. Therefore, athletes competing in weight-restricted categories often go to extreme lengths to make weight.

The pressure to meet weight requirements can even lead some athletes to adopt drastic and hazardous measures. Here's a look at some of the most extreme methods used by athletes to shed those crucial grams:
Excessive dehydration
Dehydration is a prevalent tactic for rapid weight loss. Athletes might wear rubber or plastic suits to induce excessive sweating, while drastically limiting fluid intake for days at a stretch. This approach can be extremely dangerous, as it carries risks of dizziness, headaches and even organ failure in severe cases.
Severe calorie restriction
In the days leading up to weigh-ins, athletes often cut their calorie intake drastically, sometimes consuming as few as 500-800 calories a day. This severe restriction doesn’t just result in rapid weight loss, but can also cause fatigue, muscle loss and various other health complications.
Self-induced vomiting
A dangerous and distressing method, some athletes engage in purging behaviours like self-induced vomiting to lose weight. This can lead to tooth erosion, esophageal tears and serious electrolyte imbalances.
Laxative abuse
Some athletes resort to laxatives to rapidly lose weight by expelling waste. However, this practice can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and even damage to the intestines. Doubts persist over its effectiveness as well, as it is believed to provide no actual weight loss beyond the initial water and waste loss.
Extended spells in sauna suits and hot baths
Wearing sauna suits or soaking in hot baths can induce sweating and temporary weight loss. Yet, these methods can also cause severe dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke if overdone.
Diuretic supplement consumption
Diuretics supplements, which increase urination to expel water weight, are sometimes used and abused despite their risks. They can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and potential kidney damage. Notably, diuretics are categorised among banned substances in many sports.

While these extreme tactics might offer short-term solutions, they pose significant long-term health risks. The adverse effects of rapid weight loss and dehydration can impair athletic performance, increase injury risks and even endanger life.

These risks highlight how important it is for athletes to collaborate with coaches and nutritionists to adopt safer, more sustainable weight management strategies. Gradual weight loss through balanced nutrition and consistent exercise, along with proper hydration and regular monitoring, can help athletes perform at their best while avoiding the pitfalls of extreme weight-cutting methods.