Vinesh Phogat
Mahaveer’s niece
Weight category: 48 kg;
Gold in Commonwealth Games 2014, Bronze in Asian Games 2014; part of Indian team at Rio Olympics
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents |
A profile
The Times of India, May 9, 2015
Third in line among the Phogat sisters, Vinesh wants to be the first Indian woman to bring home an Olympic wrestling medal. The 20-year-old clinched gold at the Commonwealth Games followed by a bronze at the Asian Games in 48kg category. She is the cousin of Geeta and Babita.
Ranked 11th in the world
Sep 13 2016 , Vinesh Phogat -who made an exit in the quarterfinals after a knee injury during the Olympics, climbed up two places to 11th position in the 48kg category in the UWW (United World Wrestling) rankings,.
Milestones
Till 2021 July
PHOGAT’S MILESTONES
First Indian woman wrestler to win an Asian Games gold medal (Jakarta 2018)
Second Indian female wrestler after Sakshi Malik and fifth overall wrestler to receive the Khel Ratna (in 2020)
First Indian sportsperson to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards (in 2019)
Personal life
Fighting adversities and family tragedies since childhood
Aug 8, 2024: The Times of India
NEW DELHI: A trailblazer and an inspiration in wrestling, Vinesh Phogat may have lost out on Olympic medal, but has emerged as a winner on all counts because of her sheer determination and never-say-die attitude, that epitomizes a fighter to the core.
Just when the whole of India was waiting for the gold medal match between Vinesh Phogat and American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt with bated breath, a heartbreaking news came from Paris on Wednesday that the Indian grappler had been disqualified for being overweight by a mere 100 grams.
And on early Thursday morning another sad news came when Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling by posting on her official X handle.
Vinesh posted: "Ma, wrestling has won, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams and my courage, everything is broken. I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I shall be indebted to you all. Forgive (me)."
Vinesh's uncle and mentor Mahavir Phogat has said that he, alongwith her sisters and acclaimed wrestler Bajrang Punia will try to talk her out of retirement.
Vinesh comes from a family of wrestlers, a family that defied odds and fought traditions to send their girls into wrestling in a male patriarch society and state of Haryana, a family on which the Aamir Khan starrer 'Dangal' was released in 2016.
Born on 25 August 1994 in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, Vinesh was just nine years old when a mentally unstable relative of her family is said to have shot her father Rajpal Singh dead in front of their house.
Vinesh's mother Premlata was 32 at that time and not only she brought up Vinesh, her elder brother and sister but even fought a battle with a dreaded disease like cancer.
Mahavir Singh Phogat took Vinesh and her sister Priyanka under his wings and trained them in wrestling alongwith his four daughters, Geeta, Babita, Ritu, and Sangita.
An amateur wrestler and a senior Olympics coach, Mahavir Phogat was awarded the Dronacharya Award by the Government of India in 2016.
Despite facing societal pressures and challenges in a male-dominated sport, he persisted in training his daughters, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness and wrestling techniques.
Mahavir Phogat's eldest daughter Geeta Phogat is known for her achievements in freestyle wrestling in the 55 kg category and gained prominence by winning a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to achieve this feat.
Geeta also won a bronze medal at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships in Canada and qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Olympics.
Achievements:
Commonwealth Games 2010: Gold medal in the 55 kg category.
World Wrestling Championships 2012: Bronze medal.
Asian Wrestling Championships: Bronze in 2012 and 2015.
Geeta's younger sister Babita competes in the freestyle wrestling category and has won numerous national and international medals. Babita first gained major recognition at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where she won a silver medal in the 51 kg category.
Babita went on to win a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, in the 55 kg category.
Babita also secured a bronze medal at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships and has participated in various other international competitions, bringing home several accolades.
Achievements:
Commonwealth Games 2010: Silver medal in the 51 kg category.
World Wrestling Championships 2012: Bronze medal.
Commonwealth Games 2014: Gold medal in the 55 kg category.
Asian Wrestling Championships: Bronze in 2013 and 2019.
Commonwealth Games 2018: Silver medal in the 53 kg category.
Ritu Phogat started her wrestling career following in the footsteps of her elder sisters, Geeta and Babita. She won a gold medal at the 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship in the 48 kg category. Ritu also secured a silver medal at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championships and a bronze medal at the 2017 U-23 World Wrestling Championships, showcasing her talent on the international stage.
In 2019, Ritu Phogat made a significant career shift by transitioning from wrestling to mixed martial arts (MMA). She signed with ONE Championship, one of the largest MMA organizations in Asia, to pursue her new career. Ritu made her professional MMA debut in November 2019 and has since competed in several bouts, earning recognition for her skills and determination in the new sport. Achievements in MMA:
Ritu has demonstrated strong grappling and wrestling skills in her MMA fights, which have been her primary strengths.
Ritu has achieved several victories in ONE Championship, quickly rising through the ranks in the atomweight division.
Following in the footsteps of her elder sisters, Sangita Phogat took up wrestling and has competed in the freestyle wrestling category and has participated in various national and international tournaments, earning recognition for her skills and performances.
Achievements:
Sangita has won multiple medals at national-level competitions, showcasing her potential as a wrestler.
She continues to work towards making a mark on the international wrestling scene, aiming to emulate the success of her sisters.
Sangita is married to Bajrang Punia, one of India's top male wrestlers. Bajrang is an accomplished wrestler with multiple medals at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Olympics and World Wrestling Championships.
Vinesh's sister Priyanka Phogat is also inspired by her cousins and began training in wrestling at a young age and competes in the freestyle wrestling category.
Achievements:
Asian Wrestling Championships: Silver medal in the 2016 edition, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in the 55 kg category.
National Championships: Multiple medals at national-level competitions, contributing to her reputation as a skilled wrestler.
International Competitions: Participation in numerous international wrestling events, adding to her experience and exposure.
It is this family legacy following which Vinesh Phogat became a highly accomplished wrestler achieving significant success on the international stage.
Achievements:
Commonwealth Games: Gold medals in the 2014 Glasgow and 2018 Gold Coast editions.
Asian Games: Gold medal in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang edition.
World Wrestling Championships: Bronze medal in the 2019 edition.
Asian Wrestling Championships: Multiple medals, including gold, silver, and bronze, across various editions.
Olympics: Vinesh qualified for the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Vinesh faced a significant setback during the Rio 2016 Olympics when she suffered a severe knee injury during a match, which ended her campaign. In Tokyo also, Vinesh's campaign ended with a defeat in the quarterfinal.
In Paris, Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to enter an Olympic final till disaster struck.
2018: engaged to marry Rathi
From: Sabi Hussain, After historic gold, Vinesh gets engaged at airport on return, August 28, 2018: The Times of India
It was a memorable 24th birthday for Vinesh Phogat. The golden girl of Indian wrestling got engaged to long-time boyfriend Somvir Rathi upon her return from Jakarta, where she became the first Indian woman to win a wrestling gold at the Asian Games.
And she chose a rather unusual venue for the occasion. Vinesh and Somvir — a Greco-Roman wrestler — exchanged rings outside the arrival gates of IGI airport in the presence of their families and friends. The cakecutting ceremony also took place at the airport.
Vinesh was recently at the centre of a controversial news report which linked her romantically to star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. Both had vehemently denied any such hook-up and criticised the report on their respective social media accounts.
Vinesh clarified that the surprise engagement wasn’t an outcome of the controversy. “No, it was nothing like that. For me, that article involving Neeraj didn’t exist. Somvir and I are friends for 7-8 years and the whole country knows about our relationship,” Vinesh told TOI.
Wrestling, personal life separate: Vinesh
Speaking to TOI about her dramatic enagagement at IGI Airport, Vinesh Phogat said, “It was my 24th birthday and both the families wanted to make the celebration big. For the last 4-5 years, it has so been happening that I was losing bouts just before my birthday. This time, after securing the Asiad gold medal, we wanted to celebrate the win in a grand way. Thus this engagement at the airport.”
And what are her marriage plans? “I haven’t thought about it. I am focused on the upcoming world championships in Budapest and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. That’s my aim. Nothing can come between me and my wrestling goals. I keep my wrestling and personal lives separate. The whole world will come to know when my marriage date will be announced.”
Somvir, who has won medals at the national level, is currently employed with Railways and posted in Rajasthan. Vinesh won gold in the 50kg division defeating Japan’s Yuki Irie 6-2.
The people who abandoned her
Sandeep Dwivedi, Aug 8, 2024: The Indian Express
She took down someone who had never been defeated. She reached a peak no wrestler had climbed. And just when it seemed she was staring at a sliver of gold at the end of a dark tunnel, she was felled by a rule that had never been this cruel to any Olympian. This was the first Vinesh Phogat didn’t deserve.
What was to be the most inspiring moment for Indian sports — a woman repeatedly undermined by the system becoming the country’s first female gold medal winner — turned out to be a day of mourning. Sports picked the most inopportune time to showcase its flip side to the world. At an event where athletes were climbing podiums every hour, experiencing indescribable joy, there was a gloomy corner in Paris where a 29-year-old was dealing with a gut-wrenching disqualification.
Phogat had the will and the heart to take on the five-time BJP MP and Indian wrestling supremo Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and compel the court to hear charges of sexual harassment against him. On the mat, she had the resolve to stun the so-far-unbeatable Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki.
It would be tempting to burn the rule book, tell the officials to have a heart, question the fairness of the world or moan at the cruelty of fate. But that ship has sailed, it wouldn’t help. Outrage, at best, can be cathartic. The fact is the 50kg Olympic podium wouldn’t have Phogat. The reason: She weighed more than others. By how much? Walk to your dining table, lift the salt-sprinkler, to get an idea. Take a pinch from it and gulp down a glass of water to push the lump down your throat.
In days to come, the world will move on. We might get busy celebrating a javelin medal or hockey’s sparkling consistency. Phogat, too, is sure to get sympathy. She will be called for felicitation functions and may even get cash awards. She would be made to feel like a winner. But there are lessons to learn from Paris, a few for the athletes, many for the high and mighty.
First, about Phogat. If there is anyone in Indian sports equipped to deal with this shock, it has to be her. When she was nine, her father was shot dead by someone who is said at her village to be a mentally disturbed relative just outside the front door of their home. That day, Phogat would later say, her mother, a young widow, lost the right to smile. But she did raise a gutsy daughter who wouldn’t get intimidated by anything.
Growing up, her cousins, living at a stone’s throw from her home in Balali in Haryana, were the more famous Phogats. They were the wrestling royalty, they had a movie made on them. As a junior, she was, at best, the fourth Phogat. But a fearless girl with big dreams wasn’t born to be a side story. The Vinesh story is more layered as her hurdles were far higher than those of her sisters. Dangal 2, if it’s ever made, will not be a Greek tragedy, it will be a feel-good story. It’s unlikely to have a podium finish at the end but then Phogat, after Paris, is perched higher than what an Olympic medal would lift you to.
Phogat has in her what most Indian sportspersons lack. She has the courage and conviction to take on the system and not care about consequences. Even in the company of taller, bigger male wrestlers, Vinesh would stand out because of the fire in her eyes. In those high-pressure Jantar Mantar street-fighting days, she was the one with the strongest spine and resolve. There were times when others would talk about finding a middle-path but Phogat’s anger would prove to be a deal-breaker.
Those covering her Olympic march at the Paris wrestling halls talk about the same rage when she took on the best in the world. After winning a bout, she wouldn’t wait for applause or appreciation. With blazing red eyes, breathing heavily, she would walk inside the tunnel.
The wrestler from Haryana had systematically channeled her anger. Her opponents didn’t know what hit them. Susaki had never lost, but against Phogat she did. Maybe, it’s because the Japanese legend had never been up against an opponent who had the angst and anger of Phogat. There was no one who wanted this medal so desperately. In one of her many defiant interviews, during her fight against Singh, she had said: “I will look him (Singh) in the eye and medal leke aoongi main, tu dekh (I will bring a medal, you see).” The medal might have been missed but a very important point has been made.
By reaching the gold-medal round, Phogat has shown how little the government and sports officials know about the nation’s sporting icons. When she had raised the importance of women’s safety at sporting arenas, she was dismissed as a seasonal slogan-raiser trying to blackmail the federation into agreeing to her demands. They weren’t even moved by the graphic details of sexual abuse in the police complaint filed by the country’s elite wrestlers. She was labelled a “has-been”, dismissed as “khota sikka”. They would plant stories against her. “She didn’t want to attend the trial, she is scared of young wrestlers”, “This is politically motivated” — they would tell their media friends. How wrong they were about the only woman in the world to beat the great Susaki.
Phogat’s dream run, until it took the nightmarish turn, had cast the focus on those who were silent when the wrestlers needed them most. There have been memes, a sad anticipation of what they will say now.
Tragically, there are totally unsubstantiated whispers about the possibility of a conspiracy by an insider. It’s an unhealthy Us vs Them atmosphere where a win is seen as a vindication and not a collective celebration of a sporting ecosystem. This is not ideal for a nation with dreams of hosting the Olympics and climbing high in the medals tally.
Phogat was able to take her personal rage to the mat and succeed as a wrestler, now she faces a tougher task. She would now need to get over her Olympic hurt and move on. She might have been denied the silver but she will always be remembered as the one who was neither intimidated by Singh, nor ruffled by Susaki.
Performance
2016, an analysis
The Times of IndiaDec 25 2016
VINESH PHOGAT
Vinesh Phogat's consistent performances over the past two years -a gold in Glasgow Commonwealth Games followed by a bronze in the Incheon Asian Games in 2014, had put her among the strong medal contenders. However, unlike Sakshi Malik, she couldn't return home with an Olympic medal from Rio, owing to a knee injury. After a bye in the opening round and a one-sided pre-quarterfinals, Vinesh was leading in the 48kg quarterfinal before luck turned against her.
Midway into the bout, Vinesh dislocated her knee and had to be stretchered out, eventually conceding her bout to China's Sun Yanan, who went on to win the bronze.
2017: Suspension revoked
Sabi Hussain, WFI U-turn: Vinesh Phogat suspension lifted, November 11, 2017: The Times of India
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has done a U-turn on the issue of Vinesh Phogat's suspension. The federation, which had taken a high moral ground while suspending the star woman freestyle wrestler for indiscipline, has revoked her suspension just days ahead of the senior Nationals in Indore. This happened after the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist tendered an unconditional apology for keeping the federation in dark about her injury, it's been reliably learnt.
The lifting of suspension means Vinesh, a cousin of the Phogat sisters of 'Dangal' fame - Geeta and Babita - will be able to take part in Nationals from November 15-18, which was under doubt until recently. She will represent the Railways.
The case of 74kg wrestler Praveen Rana and 66kg Greco-Roman grappler Ravinder Khatri is the same. They had also been suspended by the WFI for indiscipline a couple of months back and will now be able to participate in the Nationals.
However, more than these two, WFI's flip-flop on Vinesh is surprising. When this correspondent had spoken to WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh a couple of weeks back, he had categorically stated that Vinesh would not be allowed to participate come what may, as the wrestler was required to be taught a lesson in discipline.
"If she was injured, she should have told us beforehand. Pulling out of an international tournament - Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - at the eleventh hour is not at all acceptable," Singh had then said.
"Not only did we fail to send a wrestler's name as the last-minute replacement, we also lost out on a possible medal opportunity in the 48kg category. Her case has been transferred to our disciplinary committee which will take a call on her future. She has been suspended and wouldn't be allowed to compete in Nationals at any cost," he had added, while also stating that even her participation in the Commonwealth Championships in South Africa in December was uncertain.
But Bhushan has had a sudden change of heart, which leads to a pertinent question: If WFI was to allow a wrestler to return back to competitive fold by withdrawing the disciplinary proceedings against him/her, then what's the point of imposing a suspension in the first place?
2018
As in July 2018
August 18, 2018: The Times of India
Vinesh Phogat (50kg): Gold Coast CWG gold medallist Vinesh achieved the status of India’s No. 1 female grappler, ahead of Rio Games bronze winner Sakshi Malik. For the Asiad, she had been training in Hungary under Woller Akos and recently emerged champion at the Spanish Grand Prix. At the last Asiad, she had won bronze.
Silver at Asian Championships
March 2, 2018: The Times of India
HIGHLIGHTS
Vinesh Phogat lost a close bout on Thursday to settle for a silver medal
Vinesh suffered a 2-3 defeat to China's Chun Lei in the summit clash
India have so far won four medals in the tournament - a silver and three bronze
Vinesh Phogat lost a close bout to settle for a silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Vinesh suffered a 2-3 defeat to China's Chun Lei in the summit clash of the women's 50kg freestyle event.
After trailing 0-1 early in the bout, Vinesh came back strongly to score two points, taking the lead. But with less than two minutes left, the Chinese wrestler scored two crucial points with an attacking move to regain the lead, which she defended well till the end.
Another Indian wrestler Sangeeta defeated Jieun Um of Korea to win a bronze medal in the women's 59kg freestyle event.
Vinesh and Sangeeta's medals increased the India's tally so far to four, including two bronze medal in Greco-Roman events. Later in the day, Divya Kakran failed to add another medal in India's kitty as she lost her bronze-medal bout to Meerim Zhumanarova of Kyrgyzstan in the women's 68kg freestyle event.
Vinesh and Sangeeta's medals increased the India's tally so far to four, including two bronze medal in Greco-Roman events. Later in the day, Divya Kakran failed to add another medal in India's kitty as she lost her bronze-medal bout to Meerim Zhumanarova of Kyrgyzstan in the women's 68kg freestyle event.
Earlier, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh assured herself and India a medal by entering the final with a win over Japan's Yuki Irie. The 2014 CWG champion earned the win by taking a bigger point as she locked the score 4-4 with her move. Meanwhile, India's two Greco-Roman wrestlers have already won bronze medals.
Harpreet Singh grabbed bronze in the 82kg when he outclassed Uzbekistan's Khashimbekov 11-3, winning on technical superiority. Rajendra Kumar had won bronze in the 55kg as he beat Uzbekistan's Mirakhmedov after declared winner. He also got victory by points after levelling the score 3-3.
Women’s 50kg: gold
Biswajyoti Brahma, August 21, 2018: The Times of India
Vinesh Phogat, from the Haryanvi stable of wrestling sisters of ‘Dangal’ fame, came up with a nearperfect game to clinch a historic gold, the first in for an Indian woman in wrestling in Asian Games. She outclassed Yuki Irie of Japan 8-2 in the 50kg category final.
The 23-year-old took her time to assess her opponent before surprising the Japanese with a swift move to collect four points with a leg-grab 90 seconds into the bout. She then went into a shell, giving no chances to her rival to fight back. Though she conceded two points, including one for passivity in the second round, she had enough in the bank to play it safe till the final whistle. This was her second medal at the Asiad, having won a bronze in Incheon four years ago
The gold medal win was a sort of redemption for Vinesh, who had struggled with injuries ever since breaking her leg during the Rio Olympics 2016. In Rio she had to be stretchered off after the injury during the quarterfinal tie against Sun Yanan of China.
Vinesh accounted for Yanan in the first round itself to start her eventful journey to the top of the podium. “It was difficult for me to come out of the injuries. It was tough, both physically and mentally. But I emerged from this phase stronger,” she said. “There was pressure on me because I had lost against the Chinese three times. Today I had to prove that I am stronger than her and I am happy that I could do that.”
If the match against the Chinese challenger was a little tricky, the Indian had no problems winning her next two bouts, quite effortlessly, to book a final berth.
2019
Three golds till August
Third straight gold for wrestler Vinesh
New Delhi:
Vinesh Phogat has bagged her third consecutive gold in women's 53kg category after winning the Poland Open wrestling tournament in Warsaw. The 24-yearold prevailed 3-2 over local wrestler Roksana in the final. The Indian wrestler had stood atop the podium at Grand Prix of Spain and at the Yasar Dogu International at Istanbul last month.
2021
February: Defeats 2017 world champion V Kaladzinskay, wins gold
Vinesh returns to mat with gold in Kiev:
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Sunday pinned 2017 world champion V Kaladzinskay to grab a gold medal at the Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament here. Up against the world No. 7 Belarusian, it was not an easy bout for the world No. 3 Indian as the two grapplers kept testing each other with consistent attacks in the seasaw battle.
Mar: Again world’s no.1 in category
March 7, 2021: The Times of India
Vinesh wins gold, reclaims number one rank; Bajrang in final
ROME: Living up to the expectations, star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat grabbed the 53kg gold medal along with world No 1 rank while Bajrang Punia booked his spot in the final of the men's 65kg event at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event.
It was the second gold medal for Vinesh in as many weeks with a dominant win as the 26-year-old World bronze medallist blanked Canada's Diana Mary Helen Weicker 4-0 in the title clash.
Vinesh scored all her points in the first period and held on to her lead in the second to ensure a top-of-the-podium finish.
Vinesh had won a gold medal in Kiev last week and this performance would give her the belief that her preparations for the Tokyo Olympics are on the right track.
The Indian had entered the event as world number three but is back to world number one by jumping 14 points. The Canadian was ranked as low as 40 before the tournament but is now just behind Vinesh at number two.
Vinesh did not concede a single point at this tournament, winning two of her three bouts by pinning her rivals while getting injury walkouts in the other two in the eight-woman field.
Sarita Mor had won a silver in the 57kg on Saturday.
For Bajrang, first up was Selim Kozan, a former cadet world champion from Turkey. The Indian easily crushed him by 7-0 scoreline. Kozan made several attacks, especially from the right, but the Indian defended well.
Bajrang scored off with take down and gut wrench moves.
He faced stiff competition from America's Joseph Christopher Mc Kenna but prevailed 6-3 in the semifinal.
Bajrang seemed to have improved upon his leg defence yet the American thrice got hold of his right leg. Bajrang, though, ensured that Mc Kenna does not take advantage of the grip.
In the fast-paced bout, Bajrang took break with a 4-2 lead, scoring points with a take downs.
The American narrowed the gap to 3-4 late in the second period with a push out but Bajrang sealed the issue with a two-point throw.
He will now face Mongolia's Tulga Tumur Ochir, who prevented an all-Indian final by defeating Rohit 4-0 in the other 65kg semifinal. Rohit will now fight for bronze.
In the 74kg quarterfinal, Narsingh Pancham Yadav began with a comfortable win by technical superiority against Italian Finizio but lost to 2012 Olympic champion and four-time World champion Jordan Ernest Buuroughs in the semifinal.
He will also fight for bronze.
June: Gold at Poland Open
Vinesh Phogat takes Poland Open gold
Warsaw: Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat proved that her preparations for the Tokyo Games were on track by winning the 53kg gold at the Poland Open here on Friday, giving herself some crucial ‘mattime’ ahead of the Olympics. It is third title of the season for the 26-year-old Vinesh, who claimed gold medals at the Matteo Pellicone event (March) and Asian Championship (April) earlier.
2024
In the Olympics
ALOK SINHA, August 8, 2024: The Times of India
Paris : It was a pleasant morning. There was hope in the heart, the coffee smelt good. The daily fight to get ready, catch the metro and reach the competition venue didn’t seem that daunting. Something had happened last night that had lifted the spirits.
But it all changed with a simple, yet chilling message: “Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified.” It was a bolt from the blue. A sense of disbelief took over. What happened? She had failed to maintain her weight and was found to be nearly 100 grams overweight.
It was cruel. To put 100g in perspective, that’s how much abar of soap or two eggs weigh. Vinesh had waged epic battles. She led the protest against the federation chief, took him to court for alleged sexual harassment. She slept on the street at Jantar Mantar and faced police’s hostility.
She could not train for almost a year, but there was this unfinished business. She returned to the mat. She failed to qualify in the 53kg category, her category, and settled for 50kg. She had to be in Paris. How did this mishap happen? Vinesh had no trouble at Tuesday morning’s weigh-in. Amidst three back-to-back bo- uts, she kept replenishing with fluids and some food. That’s a normal routine amid multiple exhausting contests But it adds to body weight. Wrestlers and their support staff know that. It is always a challenge.
Vinesh did not speak to media after winning her semifinal against her Cuban rival Tuesday evening. Her eyes signalled she had much to say.“Kal baat karoongi (Will talk tomorrow),” she said, secure in the fact that she was the first Indian woman wrestler in an Olympics gold medal fight. But she added, “Weight manage karna hai abhi.” She knew she had crossed the li- mit. They all do. It was going to be a challenge. Sources said she was 2.7kg above limit. She didn’t sleep. She jogged, cycled, sat in the sauna, did everything to “manage” her weight. She failed. The world around her had crumbled.
