Story of Vinesh Phogat: From wrestling mat to political innings, Vinesh’s journey is very interesting and full of ups and downs
Sameer Chotala 
Assembly elections are due in Haryana next month and before these elections, there has been a big move in the state’s politics. Two great wrestlers of the country – Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have joined the Congress. Both of them took membership of the Congress in New Delhi today. Know the story of Vinesh’s entire journey from being a player to a leader.
Sports Desk, New Delhi. India’s legendary female wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who narrowly missed out on a medal in the Paris Olympics, has now turned from a player to a politician. She has resigned from her job in the Railways and joined the Congress Party. Vinesh has taken this decision before the assembly elections in Haryana.
There is a strong possibility that Vinesh will try her luck in the assembly elections this time. Along with Vinesh, Olympic medal winner Bajrang Punia has also joined the Congress.
splashed on the mat
Vinesh comes from a family on which a famous Bollywood actor has made a film named Dangal. The whole country knows her uncle Mahavir Phogat. Her sisters-Geeta and Babita have also been famous wrestlers. In her early career, Vinesh remained under the shadow of both of them. Vinesh got her biggest success on the international stage in the year 2013 when she won the bronze medal in the Asian Championship. Next year i.e. in 2014, Vinesh won gold and bronze medals in the Glasgow Commonwealth and Incheon Asian Games.
Accident in Rio
It was this performance that brought Vinesh to Rio Olympics-2016 as a strong player, but here her luck betrayed her. Vinesh’s leg twisted badly during the match and she got injured. Vinesh remained away from the mat for months. Vinesh made a comeback by winning a silver medal in the Asian Championship. In 2018, Vinesh was successful in winning gold in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and also in the Jakarta Asian Games.
In 2019, Vinesh created history by winning a medal in the World Championships. Vinesh won the bronze medal in the World Championships in Nur-Sultan.
Disappointment in Tokyo
There were hopes of a medal from Vinesh again in Tokyo, but this time Vinesh disappointed. She was eliminated after losing in the quarter-finals. This was a big shock for Vinesh. Vinesh was broken by this, but this wrestler controlled herself and returned to the mat. Vinesh again won the bronze medal in the World Championship in 2022.
Vinesh took to the streets
The year 2023 was full of pain and struggle for Vinesh, who used to defeat her opponents with her moves on the mat. At the beginning of the year, she came out on the streets with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. In the bone-chilling cold of Delhi, Vinesh, along with her colleagues, attacked Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India and MP of the ruling party BJP. All of them alleged that Brij Bhushan had sexually exploited female players.
During this time Vinesh was dragged on the streets. She was arrested by the police. Vinesh cried and screamed but her voice did not reach the government. Vinesh did not give up. Vinesh and her colleagues even returned their medals. The result was that Brij Bhushan had to leave his post. Here it seemed that these people have won, but Sanjay Singh entered the WFI who is considered close to Brij Bhushan. Vinesh stood up again. Roaring like a lioness. However, nothing came out of it.
Answer given on the mat
There was a fire inside Vinesh. The fire of not being heard, the fire of not getting justice. She unleashed this fire in the Paris Olympics and created history by reaching the finals of the 50 kg weight category. Vinesh was sure to get at least a silver medal. However, she was a contender for the gold. Everything was fine. After reaching the final, Vinesh’s celebration on the mat, her crying was expressing her pain. She had given an answer to her opponents. But fate had something else in store. In the weigh-in done on the morning of the final match, Vinesh’s weight was found to be 100 grams more.
Vinesh was disqualified. The whole country was shocked. Vinesh missed the medal even after coming so close. After this, Vinesh decided to retire from wrestling. Vinesh appealed against the decision. But nothing came out of it.
Welcome to India
When Vinesh stepped into India, she was given a warm welcome. During this, Deepender Hooda, son of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupendra Hooda, came to receive her at the airport. Since then, it was believed that Bajrang and Vinesh will go with the Congress and finally it happened.
