Vinesh Phogat- A Story of Strength and Struggle one of India’s top wrestler- Dzire News
Vinesh Phogat- A Story of Strength and Struggle one of India’s top wrestler- Dzire News
Dzire News New Delhi– Vinesh Phogat, born on August 25, 1994, in Balali, Haryana, is one of India’s top wrestlers. She comes from a famous wrestling family,‘The phogat family’ whose struggle was shown in a Bollywood movie ‘Dangal’. A family which has produced several great wrestlers. She was trained by her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat. From a young age, Vinesh showed great talent and worked hard to win many medals in national and international competitions.
Trained under the guidance of her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, Vinesh quickly made a name for herself in the wrestling world. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she began winning medals at national and international levels.
In May 2023, Vinesh, along with other wrestlers, protested at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. They were demanding justice against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the then-chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, blaming him of sexual harassment. This protest caught the nation’s attention, and many people supported them. The government started an investigation, showing how hard it can be for female athletes to fight for their rights.
Many political leaders supported Vinesh and her fellow wrestlers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Our athletes are the pride of the nation, and their dignity must be protected at all costs.” President Droupadi Murmu also stood by them, saying these issues should be taken seriously. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi praised Vinesh’s courage for speaking out.
Vinesh’s journey to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 was a major achievement. After suffering a serious injury at the Rio Olympics in 2016, she made a strong comeback. She won gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. This performance earned her a spot at the Tokyo Olympics, where she was a strong contender for a medal.
On August 7, 2024, Vinesh faced a shocking setback. After defeating Cuba’s Guzman Lopez, she was set to become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final. However, she was eliminated for being overweight before her final match against USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. This news left fans and fellow athletes in disbelief and sadness.Vinesh Phogat tried hard to lose the extra weight through tough workouts, strict dieting, and possibly by cutting down on water, like many wrestlers do before competitions. She did long cardio exercises, ate less, and drank less water to drop weight quickly. Despite her hard work, losing weight was very difficult, and she couldn’t reach the required weight in time for the Asian Games trials. This shows how much pressure athletes face to fit into weight categories, which can be very hard and unhealthy, even when they try their best.
The incident led to many reactions on social media. Prime Minister Modi tweeted,“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on.Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.” The president of India, Droupadi Murmu tweeted,“While we all share her disappointment at the disqualification, she remains a champion in the hearts of 1.4 billion people. Vinesh embodies the truly indefatigable spirit of Indian women, and her epic fortitude and resilience are already inspiring future world champions from India. I wish her many laurels in the future.” Priyanka Gandhi showed her support by saying, “Vinesh Phogat has shown immense courage and determination. This setback will only make her stronger.” Rahul Gandhi through social media said,“This is the identity of champions, they give their answer from the field. Best wishes Vinesh. The echo of your success in Paris can be heard clearly till Delhi,”Even Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, despite his controversial past, tweeted, “Wrestling is a sport of perseverance. Vinesh’s spirit will shine through this challenge.”Wrestler Bajrang Punia, who was also a part of the wrestlers’ protest last year, used social platform and said, “This girl (Vinesh Phogat) was kicked and crushed in her own country. This girl was dragged on the streets in her country. This girl is going to conquer the world but she lost to the system in this country.”
The public response to Vinesh’s disqualification was mixed. While many sympathized with her, some notable figures, including Bollywood actresses Hema Malini and Kangana Ranaut, faced criticism for their comments. Hema Malini called the incident “a lesson for women and artistes” about the importance of maintaining weight, which was widely criticized as insensitive. Kangana Ranaut initially made a taunt at Vinesh’s protests but later changed her stand, expressing support for Vinesh after her disqualification.
Vinesh’s career has been full of challenges, including injuries and controversies. Her ability to overcome these problems shows her strength and determination. She is a role model for many young athletes, especially girls from rural areas who dream of achieving success in sports.
Despite the recent disappointment, Vinesh Phogat’s journey is not over. Her story is one of incredible strength and dedication. As she continues to train and compete, her fans believe she will overcome this problem and achieve even greater success in the future.
Vinesh Phogat and other athletes need strong support, best training, financial help, and mental health care. They should be recognized for their achievements, protected from exploitation, and given a safe space to voice concerns. This support helps them excel, represent their country with pride, and inspire others.
Vinesh Phogat’s story is one of dedication, courage, and strength. From her early days in Haryana to becoming one of India’s top wrestlers, she has faced many challenges head-on. Her fight for justice and support from political leaders have made her a symbol of hope and inspiration. Despite her recent setback, Vinesh’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.
Sanjeev Sharma
Editor In Chief
Alisha Shahid
Asstt Sub Editor