Outlook Web Desk
Amid speculation over wrestler Vinesh Phogat's possible entry into politics, reports suggest she may contest the upcoming assembly polls against her cousin and Commonwealth Games silver medalist Babita Phogat.
Vinesh and Babita Phogat are among the popular six Phogat sisters from Haryana, all of whom are wrestlers. Geeta, Babita, Ritu, and Sangeeta [in pic] are daughters of former wrestler and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat.
Priyanka Phogat and Vinesh Phogat father, who is the brother of Babita's father Mahavir Phogat, died when they were young. Priyanka and Vinesh Phogat were brought up by Babita Phogat's father Mahavir.
Babita, Vinesh and Geeta are gold medalists in different weight categories at the Commonwealth Games. Babita Phogat won gold medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games, silver medals at 2010, 2018 Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships.
Babita Phogat entered politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019. Babita Phogat married fellow wrestler Vivek Suhag in November 2019. She and her husband welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on January 11, 2021.
Vinesh Phogat is a multiple Commonwealth Games gold medalist, having won golds at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 Games. Vinesh is the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth and Asian Games after she won the gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games. She has also won two bronze medals at the World Wrestling Championships.
On 13 December, 2018, Vinesh Phogat married fellow wrestler Somvir Rathee from Haryana's Jind. Both of them worked for the Indian Railways and have known each other since 2011.
Vinesh competed in the 48 kg category at her first Olympics in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro and won the round of 16 bout against Alina Vuc of Romania by technical superiority. During the quarterfinal bout against Sun Yanan of China, she retired after she suffered a anterior cruciate ligament injury during the match.
Vinesh made a comeback and participated in the 50 kg category in her 2nd Commonwealth Games in 2018 in Australia. In 2024 Paris Olympics also Vinesh participated under 50kg category. Vinesh has competed in three different weight classes: 48 kg in 2016, 53 kg in 2020, and 50 kg in 2024.
In 2024 Paris Olympics, Vinesh became the first international wrestler to defeat the then-reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki. Vinesh reached the 2024 Olympic final, however, was disqualified after exceeding the stipulated weight by 100 grams