Vinesh was also painted as a villain who took others’ competition spots.
Vinesh Phogat didn’t allow her far-from-ideal preparation to come in the way of her bagging the quota for the Paris Olympics later this year. While her opponents had been sweating it out in training arenas around the world, Vinesh was on the streets fighting a different battle. She was the face of the protest over the removal of BJP MP and former wrestling chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who stands accused of sexually harassing six wrestlers. Remaining steadfast in the face of threats and slander, sleeping on footpaths to keep the flame of protest burning, Vinesh now gets one more shot at her dream — an Olympic medal.
Receiving scarcely any support from the rest of the sporting community, she took the case to the courts, demanding safety, dignity and respect for wrestlers, even as Brij Bhushan’s men continued to loom over the federation and make life difficult for her. Proving her sporting credentials meant regaining mat sharpness and readying herself in the trimmest weight categories while staying mentally sturdy. She endured health risks from starving and dehydration, faced blackouts and dipping blood pressure in the middle of a bout, and underwent two knee surgeries and lonely rehabs to fight on the mat. An injury would crop up at the worst moments, followed by surgery. She had to start from scratch with sceptics giving her no chance to return to peak power.
Vinesh was also painted as a villain who took others’ competition spots. At the event where she secured the quota, she was still fighting to get her coach and physios accredited. But Vinesh has made it clear that she remains undeterred about pursuing her Olympic dream. Cornered, the fearless wrestler took on the politically powerful Brij Bhushan. Imagine what a tough competitor she will be at the Paris Olympics.
