Vinesh Phogat’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and unparalleled grit. Despite facing numerous challenges, she has emerged as a beacon of inspiration for athletes worldwide. Vinesh, the first Indian woman wrestler to secure a spot in the Olympic finals, has faced more than just opponents on the mat. Abhinav Bindra, India’s first Olympic gold medallist, aptly summed up her hurdles, but missed one significant struggle.
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In May last year, Vinesh, alongside fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, found herself in a different kind of battle. They were at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually harassing several female athletes. This protest saw them facing police brutality, with images of the wrestlers being detained causing nationwide outrage. Athletes, including Neeraj Chopra, voiced their support, highlighting the need for better handling of such situations. Eventually, the WFI was suspended, and though Brij Bhushan did not stand in the elections, his influence was still felt.
Despite these off-mat battles, Vinesh’s focus on wrestling never wavered. She returned to competition in February 2024, winning the nationals in the 55kg category. In a remarkable feat, she competed in both the 50kg and 53kg categories in March, winning in the lighter division during the selection trials for the Asian Wrestling Championships and the Asian Olympic Games qualifier. By April, she had earned an Olympic quota in the women’s 50kg category by reaching the Asian Olympic qualifier final.
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Vinesh’s perseverance paid off when she defeated Japanese world No. 1 and reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki, followed by victories over European champion Oksana Livach and Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez. As she stands on the brink of making history, Vinesh Phogat has already cemented her legacy as a true champion, overcoming both on and off-mat challenges to inspire millions.
