Vinesh Phogat injured her knee at the Rio Olympics and was unable to wrestle till January 2017. Nevertheless, she did not give up and made a grand comeback this year at the Asian Games
After the death of Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat’s father, Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Singh Phogat adopted Vinesh and her younger sister as his own daughters and started to train them in wrestling. Taking inspiration from Mahavir Phogat’s faith on Geeta-Babita, Vinesh did the whole family proud by clinching a gold medal at the Asian Games 2018. Not just her family, the whole nation rejoiced in her victory as she created history by being the first woman to win a gold medal in wrestling for India at the Asian Games.
Vinesh injured her knee at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and was unable to wrestle till January 2017. Nevertheless, she did not give up and made a grand comeback this year at the Asian Olympics, clinching a gold in women's 50 kg freestyle category.
Rajesh, Vinesh's father, who was a driver in the roadways department, died in 2003. After that, Mahavir Phogat adopted Vinesh and her sister Priyanka, and gave training in wrestling. Vinesh has proved her talent at the international level by winning eight medals, including two gold medals, and made the whole nation proud.
Before her injury, Phogat used to wrestle in the 48 kg category. In the Commonwealth Games held this year, Vinesh won a gold medal in the 50kg category. In the finals of the Asian Games, Vinesh defeated Japan's Yuri Eki 6-2 and won the gold medal.
Vinesh's mother Premalata is the younger sister of Geeta-Babita's mother, Daya Kaur. Along with the daughters of her aunt, Vinesh has spent a lot of time in the wrestling arena. On her daughter’s achievement, Premalata wipes the tears from her eyes and says, "My daughter got inspired from the faith Mahavir Phogat put in her, and has conquered the hearts of her family by winning a gold medal”.
Vinesh’s brother Harvindra said, "Vinesh and I consider Mahabir Phogat to be our father and we try to walk on the path shown by him. Taking inspiration, Vinesh has increased the number of medals by winning gold at the Asian Games. In the 2020 Olympics, Vinesh will hopefully win gold again”.
The 24-year-old Vinesh Phogat won gold in 48 kg weight-category in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She also won a gold medal in 50 kg gold in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. She won a bronze medal in 48kg in Incheon Asian Games of 2014 and has won 3 silver and 3 bronze medals in last six Asian championships.
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