The hearing of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal in the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) against her disqualification from the Olympic final concluded here and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said it was hopeful of a positive solution.

The ad hoc division of CAS, specially set up for dispute resolution during the Games, accepted Vinesh's appeal. Vinesh had appealed against the disqualification of gold medalist Sarah Ann Hildebrandt on the morning of the final for being 100 grams overweight.

likely to get a favorable decision

"The Indian Olympic Association is hopeful that there will be a positive resolution of the application filed by wrestler Vinesh Phogat before the Ad-hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) against her failure to make weight," the IOA said in a statement.

Vinesh was replaced by Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman Lopez in the final, who had lost to her in the semi-finals. In her appeal, the Indian wrestler has demanded a joint silver medal with Lopez, as her weight was within the prescribed limit during her bouts on Tuesday. Vinesh was represented by well-known senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania.

The hearing lasted for three hours

The IOA said, 'Since the matter is still sub judice, the IOA can only say that the sole arbitrator, Doctor Annabel Bennett AC AC (Australia), heard all the parties - Vinesh Phogat, United World Wrestling, International Olympic Committee and the IOA - for about three hours.'

All the concerned parties were given an opportunity to submit their detailed legal affidavits before the hearing. Oral arguments were held thereafter.

PT Usha expressed gratitude

The IOA said, "The sole arbitrator indicated that the operative part of the order will come shortly while the detailed award will be pronounced later." IOA President PT Usha thanked Salve, Singhania and the Kreeda legal team for their cooperation and arguments during the hearing.

Usha said, 'The IOA believes that it is its duty to support Vinesh and whatever be the outcome of the case, we stand by her. We are proud of her achievements.' Earlier, the ad-hoc department had said that the result could come before the closing of the Paris Olympics on Sunday.