| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Profession | Freestyle Wrestler |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 160 cm in meters- 1.60 m in feet Inches- 5’ 3” |
| Weight (approx.) | in kilograms- 56 kg in pounds- 123 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Wrestling | |
| Category | 48 kg/50 kg/53 kg |
| International Debut | Asian Wrestling Championships (2013) |
| Coach/Mentors | • Mahavir Singh Phogat • Woller Akos |
| Records/Achievements | World Championships • 2019: Bronze medal – third place at Sultan in 53 kg Commonwealth Games • 2014: Gold medal – first place at Glasgow in 48 kg • 2018: Gold medal – first place at Gold Coast in 50 kg Asian Games • 2018: Gold medal – first place at Jakarta in 50 kg • 2014: Bronze medal – third place at Incheon in 48 kg Asian Championships • 2021: Gold medal – first place at Almaty in 53 kg • 2015: Silver medal – second place at Doha in 48 kg • 2017: Silver medal – second place at New Delhi in 55 kg • 2018: Silver medal – second place at Bishkek in 50 kg • 2018: Bronze medal – third place at New Delhi in 51 kg • 2016: Bronze medal – third place at Bangkok in 53 kg • 2019: Bronze medal – third-place at Xi’an in 53 kg • 2020: Bronze medal – third place at New Delhi in 53 kg Youth Wrestling Championship • 2013: Silver medal – second place at Johannesburg in 51 kg |
| Career Turning Point | 2016 Commonwealth Games |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 25 August 1994 (Thursday) |
| Age (as of 2023) | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | Balali, Haryana, India |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Balali, Haryana, India |
| School | K C M Sr Sec School Jhojhu Kalan, Haryana |
| College/University | MDU, Rohtak, Haryana |
| Hobbies | Reading |
| Controversy | Protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
On 18 January 2023, Vinesh Phogat along with wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik held a sit-in protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Phogat alleged that the WFI officials and coaches were harassing women. She also made allegations against the WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for sexually harassing many girls. She said, “Some coaches who are favourites of the federation misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed so many girls.” Later, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh denied the allegations and said that there was no incident of sexual harassment. He also questioned why the protesting wrestlers never approached the federation for the past ten years and said that he would hang himself if the allegations will be proved true. Mr. Sharan Singh quoted, “If such a thing has happened, then I will hang myself.” [1]The Hindu On 3 May 2023, she levelled charges against Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur for suppressing the matter and said that it is tough to stand against a powerful person who is misusing his power and position. She said, “We ended our protest after talking to Union Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur), and all the athletes had told him about the sexual harassment. By forming a committee, he tried to suppress the matter there; no action was taken that time.” [2]NDTV On 25 June 2023, wrestlers called of their protest and decided to battle it out in court. [3]India Today |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Boyfriends | Somvir Rathee (Wrestler) [4]Amar Ujala |
| Marriage Date | 14 December 2018 |
| Marriage Place | Balali village, Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana |
| Family | |
| Husband | Somvir Rathee (m. 2018-present) |
| Parents | Father– Rajpal Singh Phogat (Died) Mother– Prem Lata Phogat |
| Siblings | Brother– Harvinder Phogat Sister– Priyanka Phogat (Wrestler) Babita Kumari (Westler, Cousin), Ritu Phogat (Wrestler, Cousin), Geeta Phogat (Wrestler, Cousin) |
| Favourites | |
| Actor | Salman Khan |
| Actress | Preity Zinta, Katrina Kaif, Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra |
| Film | ABCD2, Kal Ho Na Ho, Jodha Akbar, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Hera Pheri, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag |
| Singer | Neha Kakkar |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Vinesh Phogat
- Vinesh Phogat, a renowned wrestler from India, made history by securing gold medals in both the Commonwealth and Asian Games, becoming the inaugural Indian female wrestler to accomplish this remarkable feat. Additionally, in 2019, she received the prestigious honor of being the first female athlete from India to be nominated for the esteemed Laureus World Sports Awards.
- The Phogat sisters are seen posing alongside Mahavir Singh Phogat, a well-known Indian wrestler and senior Olympics coach, who is also Vinesh’s uncle.
- Since her father passed away at an early age, she was brought up by her mother, who was a single parent.
- She secured the bronze medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi, India in 2013. Competing in the women’s freestyle 52 kg category, she emerged victorious against Tho-Kaew Sriprapa from Thailand.
- In the women’s freestyle 51 kg category, she achieved a silver medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2013. Unfortunately, she was defeated by Nigeria’s Odunayo Adekuoroye in this prestigious tournament.
- At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Vinesh Phogat emerged victorious in the women’s freestyle 48 kg category, earning herself a gold medal. Her opponent, Yana Rattigan from England, was defeated by Vinesh, securing her the top spot. Filled with pride, Vinesh passionately kissed the gold medal, symbolizing her triumphant victory at the games.
- During the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, she emerged victorious in the women’s freestyle 48 kg category, securing a bronze medal. Her opponent, Narangerel Eredenesukh from Mongolia, was defeated by Vinesh in this championship.
- Vinesh secured a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Championships held in Doha after being bested by her Japanese opponent, Yuki Irie, in the finals.
- Aamir Khan produced the 2016 biopic film Dangal, which portrays her remarkable journey to success, inspired by her and her family’s life.
- Vinesh achieved victory in the final round of the match in 2016, defeating her opponent from Poland, Iwona Matkowska, which secured her qualification for the Rio Olympics. During the Summer Olympics in Rio, Vinesh progressed to the Quarter Finals. Unfortunately, she was defeated by Sun Yanan from China and suffered a knee injury.
- In 2016, Vinesh was presented with the Arjuna award on a wheelchair. Initially, she had declined the invitation due to her recent knee operation and discomfort with being seen in that condition. However, her doctor, Dinshaw Pardiwala, insisted that she attend. Upon arrival, Vinesh found herself feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed as people showed interest in taking her pictures and conducting interviews. She longed to escape from the situation as she felt emotionally disoriented. Eventually, in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Shri Pranab Mukherjee awarded Vinesh with the prestigious Arjuna Award for Wrestling in 2016.
- On 13 December 2018, Vinesh and Somvir Rathee, who both work for the Indian railways, tied the knot. Their love story blossomed at the workplace, where they fell deeply in love.
- She made an appearance in a video interview in 2018, where she discussed her childhood involvement in wrestling.
- Vinesh Phogat proudly displayed her gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, where she emerged victorious in the women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling category.
- Vinesh Phogat achieved a remarkable feat in 2018 when she emerged victorious in the women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling category at the Asian Games. Her exceptional performance enabled her to defeat her formidable opponent, Yuki Irie from Japan, ultimately securing the gold medal. This historic victory marked a groundbreaking moment for Indian women in wrestling, as Vinesh became the first ever Indian female wrestler to attain gold at the Asian Games. Following the intense competition, Vinesh proudly showcased her well-deserved gold medal from the podium during the medal ceremony for the 50 kg wrestling category at the Asian Games 2018.
- Vogue India awarded her with the prestigious woman of the year title in 2018. Vinesh, filled with pride, posed confidently with the coveted award.
- The Asian Wrestling Championships of 2019 saw Vinesh emerge victorious by defeating her opponent Qianyu Pang from China, earning herself a well-deserved bronze medal.
- Vinesh Phogat emerged victorious in the Yasar Dogu International in 2019, securing a gold medal after defeating her Russian opponent, Ekaterina Poleshchuk. Proudly grasping her hard-earned triumph, Vinesh Phogat relished her well-deserved victory at the prestigious tournament.
- Vinesh Phogat emerged as the champion in the women’s 53 kg category at the Poland Open wrestling championships in Warsaw for the third consecutive year in 2019, securing her third gold medal. She confidently struck a victorious pose to celebrate her outstanding achievement.
- Vinesh achieved her first-ever World Championship medal in 2019 at the World Wrestling Championships in the women’s 53 kg category. This remarkable accomplishment also secured her qualification for the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
- In January 2020, Vinesh emerged victorious and clinched a gold medal in the Rome Ranking Series by defeating her opponent, Luisa Elizabeth Valverde. Engaging in a wrestling match during the championship, Vinesh Phogat showcased her skills and emerged triumphant.
- During an interview, she was questioned about her preparation for the Tokyo Olympics during the lockdown in 2020. She responded by stating that she commits to two training sessions per day. However, her main focus is on strictly adhering to all the essential precautions to prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus. This includes diligently washing her hands before and after each training session. Furthermore, she exclusively trains with her sister, Priyanka.
- The sportswoman of the year award (Individual) was won by her in the year 2020.
- By emerging victorious against Vanesa Kaladzinskay, she secured the gold medal at a tournament hosted in Kyiv, Ukraine, during February 2021.
- Vinesh Phogat secured her second gold medal at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series events in 2021. She emerged victorious with a 4-0 win over Diana Mary Helen Weicker of Canada.
- Phogat emerged victorious in the women’s 53 kg category at the Poland Open in 2021, securing a gold medal and securing her spot for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo. With great pride, Vinesh Phogat showcased her well-deserved medals while striking a confident pose.
- Vinesh credits Kaori Icho of Japan as her wrestling inspiration. During a conversation with a media outlet, Vinesh expressed how Kaori Icho’s remarkable achievements, including four Olympic medals from 2004 to 2016, have fueled her own motivation. Despite her already impressive accolades, Kaori Icho’s determination to secure a place in the Tokyo Olympics serves as an ongoing inspiration for Vinesh.
- During an interview with a media outlet, Vinesh shared her daily schedule. She mentioned that the coaches alter the plan every 15 days, which keeps them unsure about the future. Engaging in repetitive activities can become monotonous. At present, Vinesh is concentrating on enhancing her strength as it aligns with the current season. Her routine encompasses weight training and visiting the gym four times per week, followed by mat sessions. If a gym session takes place in the morning, she dedicates her evening to mat training, utilizing the stamina she has developed.
- At the Poland wrestling championships in 2021, Phogat disclosed that her husband’s guidance was beneficial to her performance. She explained that in the beginning of the match, she aimed to apply greater force and adopt a more assertive playing style. It is noteworthy that this approach was not recommended by her coach, but instead suggested by her husband. Astonishingly, this strategy was effectively implemented and resulted in victory during the final match.
- During an interview, Vinesh discussed her difficulties with her diet. She mentioned that her diet plan is very strict, as she has been advised to avoid sweets and excessive amounts of ghee. For the most part, she follows this plan diligently. However, there are instances when she becomes frustrated, especially if her performance on the mat is below par or if she sustains an injury. During these moments, she questions whether it is worth following her diet and thinks, “I haven’t achieved anything in my training, so why should I stick to this restrictive diet?” As a result, she allows herself to indulge in any food she desires.
- Vinesh Phogat, a popular figure, frequently graces the cover pages of numerous prestigious magazines and tabloids. She is prominently featured on these magazine covers.
- Vinesh Phogat, an athlete, is known for her passion for fitness. She frequently posts pictures of herself exercising at the gym on her social media account. Recently, she was observed putting in great effort during her workout session at the gym.
- During an interview with a media house, Vinesh Phogat was questioned about the perception that her opponents had of her being arrogant due to her strong-willed nature on the mat. In response, she acknowledged that some may label her as arrogant, but she is well aware of her true nature. Vinesh explained that if her confidence contributes to her performance on the mat, she pays no attention to what others say. She genuinely believes that it assists her during competitions. While some may see it as overconfidence, she views it as a strong belief in herself. Refusing to be intimidated, even her opponents can sense her determination through her body language. Vinesh considers this trait a God-given gift, while others may have to work hard to attain it.
- She couldn’t secure any medals for India at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and was consequently sent back to the pavilion.
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