It was a heart-rending twist of fate this Wednesday morning as the hopes of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, just a step away from clinching the first-ever gold for the country, lay broken like glass. To be disqualified for just 100 grams over the weight limit—such is life—lifelong dedication and sacrifice have been erased in a moment. (Medal Table | Schedule & Results | Full Coverage)
Phogat is a champion both on and off the mat, her journey a testament to the spirit of a true 'Dangal'.
But, Who is Vinesh Phogat? - Early Life
Phogat's life was a far cry from a fairytale. Born in a wrestling family in the heart of Haryana, her world turned upside down when tragedy struck at nine. Losing her dad was a blow, and then with her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, came another battle to fight.
The wrestling mat was her playground from childhood, but the world outside wasn't kind. People laughed at a girl grappling. Vinesh, however, never was one to give up. She bartered school books for training gear, proving that dreams, not gender, had defined her destiny. Easy to say that wrestling was in the blood of Phogat sisters.
Phogat's destiny was intertwined with the mat from the start. Growing up in the shadow of the legendary Phogat sisters, Geeta and Babita, she was immersed in a world of wrestling.
But it is her spirit, her tenacity, which makes her different. She is not here to live in their footsteps; she carves her way into the mud—a legacy unique to "WIN-ESH PHOGAT".
Now, Phogat is a household name in the wrestling circuit of India—a woman with many firsts, from medals to taking a stand to make wrestling safe for women. She has done it all.
Vinesh Phogat's Accomplishments
Phogat's journey at the Paris Olympics was nothing short of a fairytale – until the nightmare struck. She stormed into the finals, her victory over the unbeatable Yui Susaki a moment etched in the hearts of millions. To be the first woman from India to reach an Olympic wrestling final is a story that shall be retold for generations.
But we all know how the fairy tale ended: in heartbreak. Her disqualification was a gut-wrenching blow, a cruel twist of fate. But for Phogat, the journey to the final is still an achievement in itself.
She was also the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2018.
Vinesh Phogat's Medals At A Glance
Commonwealth Games: Gold medalist in 2014, 2018, and 2022
Asian Games: Gold medalist in 2018, Bronze medalist in 2014
World Championships: Bronze medalist in 2019 and 2022
Asian Championships: Gold medalist in 2018 and 2019
Arjuna Award: Received in 2014
Padma Shri: Awarded in 2022
Phogat became the first Indian athlete nominated for a Laureus Award. Although she did not win, the fact that she was pitted against the likes of Tiger Woods only added to her reputation as a sporting icon.
Vinesh Phogat And Wrestler's Protest
Phogat was integral to the high-profile protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.The wrestlers accused him of sexually harassing several women athletes, which resulted in a countrywide furore. She, along with Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, at the forefront of the stir, spent months on dharna, even sleeping on the streets.
Hounded by massive pressure, with even criticism that she had lost everything, including her career being over, Phogat made a stellar comeback in the game to book the Olympic quota for the Paris Games, proving she had never stopped loving the sport.
Far from the wrestling mats, Vinesh and her fellow wrestlers, won the battle.
Vinesh Phogat And Her Weightclass
This is where it all went wrong. For the previous two Olympics, Phogat had competed in the 53kg category, her preferred weight class.
However, Antim Panghal had secured the Olympic quota for this category. And WFI cancelled the last minute trails, forcing Phogat to remain in the 50kg category.
Everything was going well, and she even reached the final. But then everything fell apart. She was 2kg over the 50kg limit before the final.
According to reports, she did everything in her power to rectify this, working through the entire night, cutting her hair, drawing blood, and even enduring hours in a sauna. But she was still 100 grams overweight and was disqualified.
Vinesh Phogat's Injury Dangal
Phogat's journey has been anything but smooth. Wrestlers' protests, the early loss of her father, and a relentless battle with injuries have consistently thrown obstacles in her path. Just as she was on the cusp of major competitions, Phogat would often find herself in the operating room, racing against time to heal and secure a podium finish.
She has endured the physical toll of two ACL injuries and two elbow surgeries, and the emotional devastation of two Olympic heartbreaks. Now, the Paris 2024 disqualification adds another chapter to this painful narrative.
Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Journey
Phogat's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster. Her Rio debut was marred by injuries, hindering her progress. Tokyo brought renewed hope, but a quarterfinal exit was a setback.
Paris held the promise of redemption, but a heartbreaking disqualification due to a weight issue shattered her dreams. Despite these challenges, her indomitable spirit, resilience, and achievements have made her an inspiration for millions.
