India’s Dhakad Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Gets Her Courage From Her Mother

Vinesh Phogat is a name synonymous with grit, determination, and will power. From losing her father at the age of 9 and facing opposition from the villagers to fighting authorities and being disqualified from the Olympics Finals, She has seen it all and yet she has won the hearts of millions of Indians. When asked where she gets her courage from, she gave all the credit to her mother. Read to know more. 

Early Childhood and Hardships

Born on 25 August 1944 in Balali Village of Haryana, Vinesh faced the tragedy of losing her father when she was just 9 years old. She was raised by her mother and her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat. Vinesh had to face countless challenges and hurdles throughout her childhood and she received a lot of opposition and backlash from the villagers owing to the cultural norms that forbade a female from fighting in the ring. But, her mother and uncle stood by her side and helped her overcome all these hurdles. 

Vinesh’s Mom Sarla Devi

In an interview with The Indian Express, when asked where she got her courage from, she shared, “It’s from my mother. Our relationship is stronger than the bond between friends. We share everything. She was about 32 when she became a widow. I feel sad thinking about it. She struggled for us. In that struggle, we didn’t even realise when we grew up. A single woman, she would be taunted by others, how they treated her. Before my father died, my mother didn’t even step out of the house; she didn’t even know what the price of tomatoes was. And then suddenly, tragedy struck. When she suffered from cancer, she would go to Rohtak for chemotherapy. Totally illiterate, she didn’t even know where to sit, where to get off. No one supported her. We grew up seeing her struggle. If a single woman like that, illiterate, could fight the society on her own and made us big wrestlers, then we can do it too.”

“If we (wrestlers) don’t speak out today, then all the struggles of my mother would have gone to waste. I won medals, that’s all right, but if we win this battle, she will proudly say, ‘I gave birth to them’. I am proud that my mother showed so much strength and character; I guess that’s in me as well. Even my father was like that. I am also like that,” added Vinesh, who has unfortunately been disqualified from the Olympic finals. 

Vinesh’s Achievements 

Vinesh was the first Indian Female Wrestler to bag a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2018. She beat Canada’s Jessica McDonald with a phenomenal score of 13-3. 

In 2019, she won the bronze medal at the World Championships 2019 and also qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Vinesh has won not one but 2 golds for India at the Asian Championships in 2018 and 2019.

It doesn’t stop here. She is a 3-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Championship (2016, 2017, and 2018)

Vinesh has also been felicitated with the Arjuna Award in 2014 and Padma Shree in 2022 by the Government of India. 

Why Has Vinesh Been Disqualified From The Olympics Finals?

Vinesh created history by becoming the first Indian Female Wrestler to qualify for The Olympics Finals where she would be fighting against USA's Sarah Hildebrandt. However, in a heartbreaking twist of fate, she has been disqualified. Vinesh was weighing 2 kg overweight on Tuesday night and had to undergo rigorous training all night, to help her shed the extra pounds. Unfortunately, a few grams held her back. 

"Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you” PM Modi shared in a post on X.

Vinesh is an inspiration for all and even though luck wasn’t with her this year, she has emerged as a true champion. What’s your take on this?