New Delhi: One of the mainstays in the wrestling contingent that will be spearheading India’s challenge at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat will be aiming to end her drought and bag her maiden medal at the showpiece event. A three-time gold medallist in the Commonwealth Games, Vinesh will be competing in her third straight Olympics this year.
Vinesh made her Olympics debut at the Rio Games in 2016 where she managed to reach the quarterfinals. She went down against Chinese Sun Yanan after suffering a knee injury to miss out on a medal. She was one of the favourites to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 but once again failed to make it past the quarterfinal.
All you need to know about Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh, who comes from India’s renowned Phogat wrestling family, has enjoyed a stellar career so far. The three-time gold medallist in the Commonwealth Games created history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win a gold medal at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in 2018.
She has also won two bronze medals at the World Championships and is the only Indian female wrestler with multiple medals in the prestigious competition. However, an Olympic medal has continued to elude Vinesh, who will be eager to finish on the podium in Paris this year.
Vinesh started wrestling at a very young age and was introduced to the sport by her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat, the father of Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat. Following the footsteps of her cousin, Vinesh too gained prominence quickly in the sport and went on to become one of the finest female wrestlers in the country.
Like her cousins, Vinesh too faced opposition from neighbours and the villagers, who believed wrestling was a man’s sport. However, her resolve and determination to make a name for herself in the sport saw her achieve great heights. Vinesh also lost her father when she was just 9 but overcame the challenges in his childhood to forge a successful career in wrestling.
Recent controversy
Vinesh has made more headlines recently due to being involved in controversies than her performances on the mat. She was suspended by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 on the charges of indiscipline for refusing to train with his Indian teammates.
The 29-year-old was involved in protests against tainted former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh last year and earlier this year. Vinesh along with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik led the protests against Brij Bhushan, who was accused of sexual assault by several female wrestlers.
One of the favourites to return with a medal in her weight category, Vinesh will be hoping to brush the controversies aside and end her long-standing drought at the Olympics in Paris this time around.
Vinesh Phogat is one of the strongest contenders for a medal for India at the Paris Olympics 2024. She will be competing in women’s 50kg category at the Games. Here is all you need to know about Vinesh Phogat. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
