Wrestling flows in their blood. After Geeta and Babita made a mark in women’s wrestling, their cousin Vinesh Phogat has also started carving out her niche in the sport. The 19-year-old won gold in the 48 kg category on her debut at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which speaks volumes of her talent. Unlike her cousins, Geeta — the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Olympics — and Babita, who were once subjected to ridicule and criticism in their village Balali (in Haryana’s Bhiwani district) for having chosen a male-dominated sport, Vinesh’s journey was much smoother.
“Geeta and Babita came first into wrestling... they fought against all odds. But our family was very supportive and they always motivated us to excel in the sport. Our neighbours used to criticise our grandfather and uncle (both grapplers) for making us wrestlers, but today the Phogat sisters are celebrated in the village and they are looked upon with much respect,” Vinesh said, adding, “I was lucky as I did not have to struggle or face the constant barbs. Geeta and Babita went through that, and changed the template. For me, the path was always clear — to win medals. Now, even boys think twice before teasing us... they used to say ‘arre wrestler hai bhai iss se dur raho’,” she added.
Vinesh, who dropped out of school in class VIII to focus on wrestling, does not regret her decision. “Initially, as a child, I was not fond of wrestling. I would return home crying and complain to my mother every day about the rigorous training and punishments that I got for making mistakes. They even stopped me from going to school, but gradually, I started taking interest in it. I left studies after class VIII, and solely concentrated on wrestling. Today, I feel happy that we get more recognition and respect than even doctors and engineers. I feel happy when highly educated people also line-up to meet us,” Vinesh said.
And what about her plans of marriage? Vinesh said, “Puri zindagi shaadi karke hi toh rehna hai (Marriage can wait for the time being, as once I am married, I will be married for all my life), there is no hurry. I first want to win a few medals for my country,” said the Haryana lass. On her off days Vinesh just loves to sleep, relax and spend time with family.
“I wake up around 1 o’ clock on my off days. I love to talk to my mother and sister-in-law and play with my niece. We eat home-cooked food. Babita is a very good cook, and I also love cooking. We have our lunch together,” said the 19-year-old. Apart from Vinesh, Geeta and Babita, who are also Commonwealth Games gold medallists, there are three more sisters, all of whom are into wrestling.
“Geeta and Babita were very supportive. In Glasgow, Babita helped me a lot during the bouts as it was my first CWG. Geeta gave suggestions on WhatsApp and talked to me on the phone, and it was really morale boosting,” says the younger sister. On deciding to only stick to a crew cut, despite being a girl, she said, “I dreamt of bringing laurels for the country. So, I don’t mind chopping off my tresses. Wrestling is my life... it’s like my heartbeat now, I can’t live without it.”
Vinesh, whose long-term plan is to open a wrestling academy for girls, has set her sights on the Asian Games and the Rio Olympics in 2016 now.
