The love for cricket stems from its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions on the field. It’s a dynamic narrative of triumphs, defeats, and aspirations. In India, cricket is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric. It transcends being just a sport, becoming a communal experience that unites individuals.
While the nation seems to be obsessed with cricket, India also has a rich wrestling history. From the era of Gama Pehlwan in the early 20th century to icons like KD Jadhav and Sushil Kumar, wrestling in India was predominantly focused on men.
The breakthrough for women’s wrestling in India came with Alka Tomar’s bronze in the 59kg category at the 2006 World Championships, marking the country’s first world championship medal in 39 years. However, this achievement didn’t garner much attention.
The perception of women’s wrestling began to shift with the emergence of the Phogat sisters.
The Phogat sisters, Geeta, Babita, Ritu, and Sangeeta, are the daughters of coach Mahavir Singh Phogat. Their cousins, Priyanka and Vinesh Phogat, were raised by Mahavir after their father Rajpal passed away when they were young.
The Phogat Sisters
The Phogat sisters, six wrestlers from Haryana, India, include Geeta, Babita, Priyanka, Ritu, Vinesh, and Sangeeta. Geeta, Babita, Ritu, and Sangeeta are the daughters of former wrestler and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat.
Priyanka and Vinesh, whose father (Mahavir’s younger brother) passed away when they were young, were also raised and trained by Mahavir. He coached all six sisters in wrestling in their home village of Balali, located in the Bhiwani district.
Geeta and Babita Phogat Ignite The Fire
The story of the Phogat sisters, Geeta and Babita, was brought to life in the Bollywood film Dangal, with Aamir Khan portraying their father, Mahavir Singh Phogat. While the movie in 2016 catapulted the sisters into widespread fame, their wrestling achievements had already captured attention.
Geeta Phogat, the elder sister, made history at the 2010 Commonwealth Games by winning the gold medal in the women’s 55kg category, marking the first gold for a female Indian wrestler at the Commonwealth Games. Babita Phogat, her younger sister, secured a silver in the 51kg category.
Their younger sisters, Ritu and Sangeeta, have also represented India internationally. This success was a testament to their hard work and the rigorous training regime devised by their father, Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler and renowned coach.
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In 2012, Geeta Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Summer Olympics, competing in the 55kg category at London. Although she lost to three-time Olympic medallist Tonya Verbeek in the round of 16 and was later defeated in the repechage round, she went on to win a bronze medal at the World Championships in the same year. Babita Phogat also won a bronze in the 51kg category, making these the only two medals India secured at the 2012 Women’s World Championships.
Geeta Phogat’s career was interrupted by a ligament tear in her right knee, requiring surgery in early 2014 and sidelining her for over a year. Since then, injuries have hindered her ability to compete regularly.
Babita Phogat, on the other hand, continued to excel, winning gold in the 55kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and silver in the 53kg category at the 2018 Games. She entered politics in 2019 but remains a professional wrestler.
Ritu Phogat, a former wrestler who won gold at the 2016 Commonwealth Championships and bronze at the 2017 Asian Championships, has transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA).
The youngest sister, Sangeeta Phogat, has also represented India in wrestling and is married to Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Bajrang Punia. The legacy of leading Indian women’s wrestling continues to be upheld by the Phogat family.
Vinesh Phogat Carries On The Legacy
With a renowned surname, Vinesh Phogat faced immense pressure and has responded remarkably. A cousin of Geeta and Babita Phogat, Vinesh was trained by her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat from a young age, following the death of her father Rajpal, Mahavir’s brother.
Vinesh first gained attention by winning a silver medal in the 51kg category at the 2013 World Youth Championships and a bronze at the 2013 Asian Championships. She gained widespread recognition at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, securing gold in the 48kg category, followed by a bronze at the Asian Games later that year.
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Qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics, Vinesh was a medal favorite, but a severe knee injury dashed her hopes. Demonstrating resilience, she consistently medaled at the Asian Championships since 2015 and won gold at both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2018. In 2019, she earned her first World Championships medal, a bronze in the 53kg category, and qualified for Tokyo 2020.
Reaching the world No. 1 ranking and entering Tokyo as the top seed, Vinesh faced a setback, losing in the quarter-finals. She later revealed she was not in optimal physical or mental condition and underwent elbow surgery upon her return to India.
Vinesh’s younger sister, Priyanka Phogat, also a wrestler, won silver at the 2016 Asian Championships. The future of women’s wrestling looks promising, beginning with the rise of the Phogat sisters a decade ago.
