In Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat secured her spot in the semifinals of the women’s 50 kg event by defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5 in the quarterfinals. A prominent name among India’s top wrestlers, Vinesh was introduced to the sport at a young age by her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, and has followed in the footsteps of her cousins, Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari. As a two-time Olympian, she has earned two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and one at the Asian Games. Additionally, she secured a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships and was crowned Asian Champion in 2021.
Early Life in Balali, Haryana
Born in the village of Balali in Haryana’s Bhiwani district, Vinesh hails from a family of wrestlers. At just nine years old, she faced the tragic loss of her father. Following his death, her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat took over her training.
Vinesh encountered resistance from villagers who believed wrestling was a man’s sport and that women should remain confined to their homes. She completed her early education at KCM Senior Secondary School in Jhojhu Kalan, Haryana, and later graduated from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak, Haryana.
Training
After her father’s death, Mahavir Phogat, the father of wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat, taught Vinesh the art of wrestling.
Recently, Vinesh Phogat, along with fellow wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh. They accused Brij Bhushan, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, of sexual harassment.
The wrestlers demanded Brij Bhushan’s arrest. Following a Supreme Court order, authorities filed an FIR and submitted a charge sheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Despite this, they have not yet arrested him. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat received an exemption from the Asian Games trials.
Married in 2018
On December 13, 2018, Vinesh married Somvir Rathi, a resident of Jind and a medal-winning wrestler. Vinesh and Somvir have known each other since 2011, having met while working for Indian Railways. They married in 2018 after Somvir won a prize in a public competition. Somvir began wrestling at a young age in Kharkhoda, Sonepat.
Achievements of Vinesh
2018 Asian Games Gold Medal Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at the Asian Games by defeating Japan’s Yuki Irie 6-2 in the women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling gold medal match.
2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Vinesh outperformed Canada’s Jessica MacDonald to claim the top spot.
2014 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal At just 20 years old, Vinesh showcased her technique at the Glasgow Games, defeating England’s Yana Rattigan 3-1 in the final to win the gold medal.
First Indian Athlete Nominated for Laureus Awards Although she lost to Tiger Woods, Vinesh was internationally praised for her remarkable comeback after a career-threatening knee injury at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2019 Asian Wrestling Championship Bronze Medal Vinesh won a bronze medal in her category by defeating China’s Qianyu Pang, the World Championship bronze medalist.
