Vinesh Phogat Biography: The Inspirational Journey of a Trailblazing Wrestling Champion
Discover the incredible journey of Vinesh Phogat, India’s wrestling sensation. From her rise in the international arena to overcoming major challenges and her impactful advocacy, this in-depth article reveals why Vinesh Phogat is a true trailblazer in wrestling. Don’t miss her inspiring story!
Vinesh Phogat: Early Life and Background
Vinesh Phogat, born on August 25, 1994, in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, India, is a prominent figure in the world of wrestling. She is known for her impressive achievements and has become a trailblazer for Indian athletes. Hailing from a family with a rich wrestling tradition. Vinesh’s journey into the sport was influenced heavily by her family’s dedication to wrestling.
Vinesh Phogat’s father, Rajpal Phogat, played a significant role in her early life. He, along with her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, was instrumental in her wrestling training. The Phogat family is renowned in India for their contributions to the sport. Vinesh’s sisters Priyanka Phogat and cousins Geeta Phogat, Ritu Phogat, and Babita Kumari also achieved great success in wrestling.
Despite facing resistance from their community, Vinesh’s father and uncle remained persistent. It allowed Vinesh and her cousins to pursue their passion for wrestling. This resilience in the face of societal opposition helped shape her into the formidable athlete she is today.
Personal Life and Marriage
On December 13, 2018, Vinesh Phogat married fellow wrestler Somvir Rathee. Both Vinesh and Somvir Rathee worked for the Indian Railways and had known each other since 2011. Their shared passion for wrestling and their strong personal bond were key factors in their relationship. Vinesh Phogat’s marriage to Somvir Rathee was a significant milestone in her personal life. It reflects her ability to balance professional and personal commitments.
Career Achievements
Early Career (2013-2016)
Vinesh Phogat’s wrestling career began to gain recognition in 2013. She won a bronze medal in the women’s freestyle 51 kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships held in New Delhi. She defeated Nanami Irie of Japan in her initial bout. Although she lost to Tatyana Amanzhol of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. Vinesh went on to secure the bronze medal by defeating Tho-Kaew Sriprapa of Thailand in the repechage rounds.
In the same year, she won one more medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa. Vinesh Phogat won a silver medal in the 51 kg category. She lost to Odunayo Adekuoroye of Nigeria in the final. Still, she demonstrated her skill and determination throughout the competition.
Vinesh’s debut at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 was a significant milestone. Competing in the 48 kg category, she secured gold by defeating Yana Rattigan of England with a score of 3-1. This victory marked her first gold medal at the Games, setting the stage for future successes.
At the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, Vinesh won a bronze medal in the 48 kg category. She overcame several opponents before losing to Eri Tosaka of Japan in the semi-finals. Vinesh then clinched the bronze medal by defeating Narangerel Eredenesukh of Mongolia.
Injury and Comeback (2016-2020)
In April 2016, Vinesh was disqualified from the 2016 World Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament 1. It was due to being 400 grams above the weight category. However, she qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics at the 2016 World Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament 2 held in Istanbul. There she defeated Polish wrestler Iwona Matkowska in the final.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Vinesh competed in the 48 kg category. She won her round of 16 bout against Alina Vuc of Romania by technical superiority. Unfortunately, she had to retire in the quarterfinals against Sun Yanan of China. It was due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Vinesh made a remarkable comeback. She participated in the 50 kg category at her second Commonwealth Games in 2018. She won gold by defeating all her opponents in a round-robin format. At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Vinesh continued her winning streak. There she secured gold in the 50 kg category. She became the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
In the 2019 Asian Wrestling Championships, Vinesh won a bronze medal by defeating Qianyu Pang of China. Later that year, she won gold at the Yasar Dogu Tournament. She defeated Ekaterina Poleshchuk of Russia there. At the 2019 World Wrestling Championships, she secured another bronze medal in the 53 kg category. It was after defeating Maria Prevolaraki in the bronze medal match.
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Further Wins and Challenges (2021-2023)
In February 2021, she won gold at the Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament in Kyiv by defeating the 2017 World Champion Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus. She also clinched gold at the 2021 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event, becoming the world number one in her weight category.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Vinesh competed in the women’s 53 kg event as the world number one. Although she defeated Sofia Mattsson of Sweden in the first round, she was defeated by Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus in the quarterfinals. Soon after the Olympics, Vinesh faced a suspension by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for indiscipline, which was later resolved with an apology and a private contract issue.
In the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, Vinesh Phogat won the gold medal in the 53 kg category. She also secured her second World Championship bronze medal in the 53 kg category at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade. Although she lost her first-round bout against Batkhuyagiin Khulan of Mongolia, she fought back to win bronze through repechage rounds.
Third Olympics and Retirement (2024)
In the 2024 Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Vinesh earned a quota place for the 50 kg category in the 2024 Summer Olympics. At the Paris Olympics, she made headlines by defeating reigning Olympic and world champion Yui Susaki of Japan. This victory was notable as Susaki had not conceded a single point in the Tokyo Olympics.
However, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being slightly over the weight limit by 100 grams during the weigh-in on the morning of the finals. This disqualification relegated her to the last place in the classification. Following this, she announced her retirement from the sport with immediate effect and also appealed the disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to be awarded a joint silver medal.
Protests and Advocacy
In January 2023, Vinesh Phogat, along with other prominent Indian wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Anshu Malik, organized a protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The protest was initiated after allegations of sexual harassment by several female wrestlers. The protests led to the Indian Government pledging to form an oversight committee to investigate the claims. However, Vinesh and other wrestlers resumed their protests in April 2023, claiming that the Government did not fulfil its commitments.
During these protests, Vinesh Phogat revealed that she had informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur about the mental harassment, torture, and threats to her life after reporting Bhushan. On December 24, 2023, the Sports Ministry suspended the newly elected WFI body led by Sanjay Singh for disregarding established policies and procedures.
Achievements and Awards
Vinesh Phogat’s achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. In 2016, she was awarded the Arjuna Award for her outstanding contributions to sports. In 2018, she was nominated for the Padma Shri by the Sports Authority of India, highlighting her exceptional career. In 2020, she received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honor, further cementing her status as a leading athlete. Additionally, Vinesh was nominated for the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2022, underscoring her continued influence and success in the sport.
Legacy and Impact
Vinesh Phogat’s legacy in wrestling is significant. She has inspired many, especially women, to pursue sports and has made notable contributions to Indian wrestling. Her achievements on the international stage have made her a role model for aspiring athletes. Vinesh’s perseverance and dedication to her sport, along with her advocacy for fair treatment in the wrestling community, have solidified her status as a trailblazer in Indian sports.
Her career, marked by both triumphs and challenges, reflects her resilience and commitment to wrestling. Vinesh Phogat’s journey from a young girl facing societal resistance to a celebrated athlete on the global stage is a testament to her determination and skill.
Vinesh Phogat remains a prominent figure in wrestling, and her impact on the sport continues to be felt. Her story is one of inspiration and excellence, demonstrating the power of perseverance and passion in achieving greatness.
FAQs
1. Who is Vinesh Phogat?
Vinesh Phogat is an Indian wrestler known for her achievements in international wrestling competitions.
2. When and where was Vinesh Phogat born?
Vinesh Phogat was born on August 25, 1994, in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, India.
3. What is Vinesh Phogat’s wrestling background?
Vinesh Phogat comes from a wrestling family. Her father, Rajpal Phogat, and her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, are notable figures in the sport.
4. Who are Vinesh Phogat’s family members involved in wrestling?
Vinesh’s family includes her sisters Priyanka Phogat, cousins Geeta Phogat, Ritu Phogat, and Babita Kumari, all of whom are accomplished wrestlers.
5. What major achievements did Vinesh Phogat accomplish in 2014?
In 2014, Vinesh won gold at the Commonwealth Games and bronze at the Asian Games.
6. Why did Vinesh Phogat withdraw from the 2016 Olympics?
Vinesh Phogat had to withdraw from the 2016 Rio Olympics due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
7. What notable event happened in Vinesh Phogat’s career in 2018?
- Vinesh Phogat won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in 2018.
8. How did Vinesh Phogat perform at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
Vinesh Phogat finished 9th in the 53 kg category at the Tokyo Olympics.
9. What role did Vinesh Phogat play in the protests against the WFI?
Vinesh Phogat was a key figure in the protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
10. What is Vinesh Phogat’s current weight category?
As of 2024, Vinesh Phogat competes in the 50 kg weight category.
11. What major award did Vinesh Phogat receive in 2016?
Vinesh Phogat received the Arjuna Award in 2016 for her achievements in sports.
12. Has Vinesh Phogat been nominated for any prestigious awards?
Yes, she was nominated for the Padma Shri in 2018 and the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year in 2022.
13. What was the outcome of Vinesh Phogat’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being slightly over the weight limit and finished in last place in the classification.
14. Who did Vinesh Phogat marry, and when?
Vinesh Phogat married Somvir Rathee, a fellow wrestler, on December 13, 2018.
15. What is Vinesh Phogat’s legacy in wrestling?
Vinesh Phogat is considered a pioneering wrestler who has inspired many, especially women, to pursue sports and has made significant contributions to Indian wrestling.
