Vinesh Phogat hails from a village in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. She was born into a family steeped in the wrestling tradition.
She is the youngest of the Phogat sisters, following in the footsteps of her cousins, Geeta and Babita, who pioneered women’s wrestling in India.
Inspired by her family’s achievements and the spirit of breaking societal norms, Vinesh embarked on her wrestling journey.
Her uncle and coach, Mahavir Singh Phogat, trained them rigorously, challenging societal norms and setting the stage for their success.
Phogat’s journey was marked by numerous setbacks and comebacks. Several injuries, personal losses and the immense pressure to perform well were her constant companions.
She has won over 15 medals in international championships such as the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Wrestling Championships.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she became the first Indian wrestler to reach the finals of an Olympics, defeating the world number 1 wrestler along the way.
However, her Paris 2024 campaign ended in heartbreak as she was disqualified from the final for being over the weight limit by a mere 100 gm.
She has announced her retirement in a heart-wrenching social media post following her disqualification.
Her journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, hard work and determination, and her legacy will inspire countless others to follow in her footsteps.