Biography of Vinesh Phogat: The story of a player from a small village who brought glory to India at the world level through wrestling

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Vinesh Phogat: A journey of resilience, triumph and inspiration in Indian wrestling

Early Life and Background:

Vinesh Phogat was born on August 25, 1994, in a small village called Balali in the Bhiwani district of Haryana, India. Coming from a family of wrestlers, Vinesh was almost destined to enter the world of wrestling. She is the daughter of Rajpal Phogat and Premlata Phogat and the niece of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a legendary wrestling coach who trained several of his nieces to become successful wrestlers. Vinesh's cousins ​​Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari were among the first female wrestlers from India to gain international recognition, inspiring Vinesh to follow in their footsteps.

Growing up in a conservative society where wrestling was considered a male-dominated sport, Vinesh had to overcome many social barriers. However, the support of her family, especially her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat, who treated his nieces and daughters as equals to boys, played a vital role in her early development as a wrestler. The Phogat family's dedication to wrestling is well depicted in the popular Bollywood film "Dangal", which depicts the struggles and victories of the Phogat sisters.

Early career and training:

Vinesh began training under the supervision of her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat. The rigorous and disciplined training regime instilled in her the qualities of perseverance, hard work and determination. Her early days in wrestling were spent training with her cousins ​​Geeta and Babita in the akhada (wrestling ring) set up by Mahavir in their village. The rigorous physical training, coupled with a strict diet, was a routine that Vinesh adopted wholeheartedly.

Vinesh started competing at the state and national level at an early age and soon made a name for herself in Indian wrestling circles. Her aggressive style, her agility and strength made her a formidable opponent on the mat. Very soon she started attracting the attention of national coaches and selectors.

Success on the International Stage:

Vinesh Phogat's breakthrough came in 2013 when she participated in the Asian Wrestling Championships held in New Delhi. She competed in the 52kg weight category and won a bronze medal, which brought her to the international stage. This achievement was significant, as it was her first major international medal and gave her the confidence to compete against the best wrestlers in the world.

In the same year, she participated in the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she won the gold medal in the 51 kg category. This victory was a testimony to her growing prowess in wrestling and established her as one of India's leading female wrestlers.

Success in Commonwealth Games and Asian Games:

The year 2014 was a significant year in Vinesh's career. She represented India at the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland, where she competed in the 48 kg weight category. Vinesh's performance was spectacular; she dominated her rivals and won the gold medal, becoming the youngest Indian wrestler to achieve this feat. This win brought her widespread recognition and established her as a rising star in Indian wrestling.

Later that year, Vinesh participated in the Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea. Competing in the 48 kg category, she faced tough competition but managed to win a bronze medal. Her success at the Asian Games further cemented her reputation as a top contender in international wrestling.

Injury and comeback:

Despite her successes, Vinesh's career has not been without setbacks. The most challenging phase of her career came during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Vinesh was considered one of India's biggest hopes for a medal in wrestling. She competed in the 48kg category and got off to a great start, winning her first two bouts. However, during her quarterfinal match against China's Sun Yanan, she suffered a serious knee injury. The injury was so severe that she had to be carried off the mat on a stretcher and her Olympic campaign ended in heartbreak.

The injury tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee, which required surgery and extensive rehabilitation. For many athletes, such an injury could be career-threatening, but Vinesh was determined to make a comeback. Her rehabilitation process was both physically and mentally demanding. She spent several months recovering, working tirelessly to regain her strength and mobility.

Vinesh's return to the wrestling arena in 2017 was nothing short of a remarkable achievement. She participated in the Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi, where she won a silver medal in the 55kg category. This was a significant achievement considering the severity of her injury and the long road to recovery.

Continued success and World Championships:

Vinesh Phogat's perseverance and determination continued to shine through in the following years as well. In 2018, she achieved the biggest achievement of her career by winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia. Competing in the 50kg category, Vinesh easily dominated her rivals to secure her second Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Later in 2018, she created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Competing in the 50kg category, she showcased her exceptional skills and mental toughness to defeat her rivals and top the podium. This win was particularly special for Vinesh, as it marked her successful comeback after the horrific injury she suffered at the Rio Olympics.

Vinesh also performed well at the World Wrestling Championships. Although she is yet to win a gold medal at the World Championships, she has performed consistently well, winning bronze medals in 2019 (in the 53 kg category) and 2021 (in the 55 kg category). Her performance at the World Championships demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest level and remain one of the top wrestlers in the world.

Olympic journey and Tokyo 2020:

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was a crucial event for Vinesh Phogat. She entered the competition as one of the favourites in the 53kg category, having dominated various international tournaments in the lead up to the Games. However, the Olympics once again proved to be a challenging arena for Vinesh.

Despite her high hopes, Vinesh's Olympic campaign ended in disappointment as she lost to Belarus' Vanessa Kaladzinskaya in the quarterfinals. The defeat was a big blow for Vinesh, who had hoped to secure a medal at the Olympics. The loss was particularly painful considering the years of preparation and the weight of expectations on her shoulders.

Post-Olympics, Vinesh faced criticism and introspection. However, she handled the situation with grace and maturity, accepting the challenges and vowing to come back stronger. Her journey is a testament to the unpredictability of sports, where even the most prepared athletes can face unexpected hurdles.

Personal Life and Legacy:

Vinesh Phogat's personal life has also been a source of inspiration for many. In December 2018, she got engaged to fellow wrestler and former national-level athlete Somveer Rathi, who has been a support in her life. The couple tied the knot in December 2018 in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends.

Vinesh is known for her humility, dedication and commitment to her sport. She has often spoken about the importance of mental strength in addition to physical training. Her ability to recover from setbacks and continue to perform at the highest level has made her a role model for young athletes, especially girls in India, who aspire to make a mark in sports.

Social Impact and Advocacy:

Beyond her accomplishments on the mat, Vinesh Phogat has also been an advocate for women's empowerment and gender equality. Coming from a state like Haryana, Vinesh's success has challenged social norms and inspired a new generation of female athletes.

She has actively spoken about the importance of supporting girls in sports and has worked to encourage more girls to get involved in wrestling. Her story, along with that of her cousins, has played a significant role in changing perceptions about women in sports in India. The Phogat family's success has fueled interest and investment in women's wrestling in the country.

Vinesh has also been vocal about the need for better facilities and support for athletes in India. She has highlighted the struggles faced by many athletes in terms of access to proper training facilities, coaching and financial support. Her advocacy for these issues has contributed to wider discussions about the development of sports in India.

Awards and Honours:  Vinesh Phogat's contribution to Indian sports has been widely recognised. She has received numerous awards and honours during her career. Some notable awards include:

• Arjuna Award (2016): Vinesh was awarded the Arjuna Award, one of India's highest sporting honours, in recognition of her outstanding achievements in wrestling.
• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2020): India's highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna was awarded to Vinesh in 2020 for her exceptional performance in wrestling and her contribution to Indian sports.
• Padma Shri (2021): In 2021, Vinesh was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, for her contribution to sports and her role in inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Vinesh Phogat's journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming one of the top female wrestlers in the world is a story of determination, resilience and triumph over adversity. Despite facing many challenges, including social pressure, injuries and setbacks, Vinesh has emerged as a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions of aspiring athletes, especially women.

Her impact on Indian sports extends far beyond her medals and championships. Vinesh has played a key role in breaking barriers for women in wrestling and has been a driving force in changing societal attitudes towards women in sports. As her career progresses, Vinesh Phogat is focused on achieving her dreams and inspiring the next generation of wrestlers to dream big and aim high.