Vinesh Phogat: An Unyielding Inspiration
Born in a small village in Haryana, Vinesh Phogat is a shining star in the world of Indian wrestling. Her story of struggle and success is not just a testament to her hard work but also to her immense confidence and unwavering determination. It is crucial for every girl in India to know Vinesh’s tale of relentless pursuit of dreams, which is why this colorful story has been written.
Wrestling has been a traditional sport in Vinesh’s family. Her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, inspired her to take up wrestling. Mahavir Singh Phogat trained Vinesh and her sisters, teaching them the importance of wrestling and personally coaching them in the field. Every girl in the world should have an uncle like Mahavir Singh Phogat, so that even if they don’t become wrestlers, they certainly become self-reliant. Vinesh, with the support and encouragement of her family, crafted a new history through her hard work.
Vinesh’s cousins, Geeta and Babita Phogat, also achieved significant success in wrestling. Their lives were depicted in the movie “Dangal,” where Aamir Khan played the role of Mahavir Singh Phogat. This film portrays their inspirational journey of struggle and success, bringing fame to the Phogat family not only in India but also internationally. Rarely does one find an Indian who hasn’t seen the movie “Dangal.”
As seen in the movie, Vinesh and her sisters faced many challenges in their childhood. Society criticized them, saying it was not appropriate for girls to wrestle. However, Vinesh was determined to chase her dreams and prove her worth to everyone. Under the guidance of her uncle, she continued to work hard. Every day was a step closer to her dreams.
Eventually, Vinesh’s hard work paid off, and in 2013, she won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, making her family and country proud. This medal took her and her career to new heights and marked the beginning of her success. In 2014, she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, showcasing her strength and wrestling skills to the world.
However, the story of success and the obstacles encountered on the path to achieving it does not end here. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, a severe injury dealt a blow to Vinesh’s dreams. She suffered a major knee injury and had to leave the field. This moment was a setback for her dreams, but it also fueled her with new determination.
Without giving up, Vinesh started her rehabilitation with resolve. Each day was a new chapter towards her dreams, and she imbued her injured knee with new vitality. Within a year, she overcame her severe injury and made a remarkable comeback by winning a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Vinesh also clinched a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. This was a testament to her determination and hard work. Her success earned her recognition not just in India but also on an international level.
Vinesh Phogat’s story is not just a tale of sporting success; it is an inspirational journey. Every milestone in her career was achieved through immense hard work and dedication. She faced many challenges in pursuit of her dreams, never tiring. She shattered societal stereotypes and astonished everyone with her achievements.
Last year, the President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, faced allegations of sexual harassment, and several Indian wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, continuously protested against him. However, Brij Bhushan denied these allegations. Protests against Brij Bhushan Singh continued throughout 2023. During this period, unprecedented scenes were witnessed in the history of sports. Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat left their government awards, ‘Khel Ratna’ and ‘Arjuna Award,’ on the streets of Delhi. Both wrestlers requested the police to hand over the awards to the Prime Minister.
Vinesh Phogat wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating her intention to return the medals. “These awards hold no meaning in my life now,” she wrote in the letter. Earlier, wrestler Sakshi Malik had announced her retirement from sports, and Bajrang Punia had also returned his Padma Shri award to the government. Charges have been framed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi noted that there is sufficient evidence against him. As Vinesh rightly realized in time, “The law is blind, but we must not be crippled.” Determined to work hard and win an Olympic medal for her country, Vinesh continued her rigorous preparation.
In 2021, she prepared extensively for the Tokyo Olympics. With her hard work, she had high expectations of victory. Unfortunately, she did not achieve success there. This was another significant setback for her, but her determination and confidence remained unwavering. She resolved to correct her mistakes and return with renewed vigor.
In August 2024, Vinesh made history at the Summer Olympics in Paris. She became the first Indian female wrestler to reach the final for a gold medal. This was a crucial milestone in her success story. However, before the gold medal match, she was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight. This moment was deeply painful, but it also provided a lesson in determination and an inspirational journey. Though her dream of a gold medal remained unfulfilled by just 100 grams, her struggle and hard work will never be in vain. This defeat will further strengthen her determination and courage, and her story will become even more inspirational.
Bajrang Punia recently expressed his thoughts:
“Vinesh Phogat is that lioness of India who today defeated a four-time world champion and the current Olympic champion in back-to-back matches. After that, she defeated a former world champion in the quarter-final. But let me tell you one thing,
“This girl was trampled in her own country.
This girl was dragged on the streets in her own country.
This girl is going to conquer the world,
But she lost to the system in this country.”
Vinesh must have learned something from this failure and has never lost her confidence. She must have resolved, “I will never let failure stop me, and I will always keep moving forward.” Vinesh has faced many struggles and challenges in her career, but she has always overcome them and moved forward.
Her sister, Geeta Phogat, also wrote:
“Time bows down; you just need the passion to make it happen.”
Vinesh Phogat’s true story teaches us that dreams are big, and if we have the determination to achieve them, no obstacle can keep us away from our dreams. For those who try, nothing is impossible. Her hard work and confidence have shown everyone that the journey of moving forward without tiring and stopping is true success. Defeat is not the end, but a new beginning.
Hidden in defeat is a promise of a new dawn, Victory comes right after a setback. Never stop, walk the path of struggle, Every end heralds a new beginning.
Vinesh Phogat, salute to your determination and confidence! You are truly an inspiration to every Indian girl, and your story is inspiring millions to chase their dreams. Your confidence and determination teach us that no matter how many obstacles come our way, overcoming them is the true goal. Your confidence and determination teach us that we should never give up on pursuing our dreams and achieving success because our journey is our identity.
Written by — Dr. Anil Pise
