At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Vinesh Phogat was driven by a purpose far greater than the quest for a medal. Her motivation stemmed from a deeply personal battle – she was fighting not only for her reputation but also for her fellow wrestlers who had stood beside her against systemic injustices, and for all athletes who had faced similar trials.
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Vinesh’s Olympic journey had been fraught with challenges. From being stretchered off in Rio 2016 with a shredded ACL to her quarter-final heartbreak in Tokyo 2021, she endured immense physical and emotional pain. The aftermath of a 2017 concussion and the impacts of COVID-19 further hindered her, leaving her without a physio and struggling with weight cuts and mental health. Yet, she persevered, determined to conquer the odds.
In 2023, Vinesh Phogat along with other wrestlers sat in protest against the then Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faced severe sexual harassment allegations. The wrestlers demanded the immediate removal of Brij Bhushan, but their efforts were in vain.
On May 28, 2023, two significant events unfolded in India. While the Prime Minister inaugurated the new parliament building, top Indian wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, faced police action during their protest. They were dragged on the streets, assaulted, and faced immense physical and mental distress.
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The wrestlers, protesting at Jantar Mantar, were temporarily detained, and their protest site was cleared. Vinesh then eyed an ultimate goal – to win a medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Vinesh, in an interview in November 2023, expressed her resolve.
“I told Bajrang and Sakshi that I will keep fighting. I will face him [Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh] and bring back a medal. They have Olympic medals; I don’t. I have a reason to fight. If I train well, I can win a medal. No one can stop me.”
Her determination was echoed by Bajrang Punia, who told ESPN, “She is fighting for the future generation of wrestlers. Not for herself—this is her last Olympics. She wants to ensure that young women wrestlers can compete safely. That’s why she was at Jantar Mantar, and that’s why she is here.”
Vinesh’s path to the Paris Olympics final was a testament to her tenacity. She defeated Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez to secure her spot in the Women’s 50kg Freestyle final, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final.
Her victories over World No.1 Yui Susaki of Japan and Ukraine’s Oksana Livach were proof of her skill and determination.
Innumerable people took to social media to shower support on her. Her journey of facing massive hurdles and yet performing brilliantly at the Paris Olympics has left many inspired. Have a look:
A year of protest against the federation chief.
Slept on pavements for 40 days.
Was beaten, dragged by the police.
Nearly immersed all her medals in the Ganga.
Underwent knee surgery.
Sealed her Olympic spot after an unforgiving qualification process.
Became the 1st Indian… pic.twitter.com/bsU55pG93Z— ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) August 6, 2024
This time, the tears flowed as I wrote this piece :’)
Speaking to me in December, Vinesh Phogat told me:
“The only thing I have told Bajrang and Sakshi is that I will still fight. I will look him [Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh] in the eye and medal leke aungi main, tu dekh [bring… pic.twitter.com/kSab61IutS
— Shyam Vasudevan (@JesuisShyam) August 6, 2024
DONT EVER FORGET THIS IS WHAT INDIA DID TO HER.
NEVER FORGET.
NEVER pic.twitter.com/InM7NhzRrF— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) August 6, 2024
INJECT THIS IN MY FUCKING VEINS pic.twitter.com/fXz2Sx1eEq
— Shivam (@imrozed) August 6, 2024
You have always fought the right fight. And you have always won.
There are some pending ‘medals’ which will eventually come our way but for this one, THANK YOU, Vinesh.
Your win feels personal to each one of us who have ever raised our voice for truth and justice @Phogat_Vinesh… pic.twitter.com/xA1FUAvKBD— Sayema (@_sayema) August 6, 2024
#Paris2024 #Olympics #Wrestling
Nightmare injury in Rio.
Couldn’t quite get going in Tokyo.
Took to the streets in Delhi.
No clarity on future.
ACL surgery.
Going down to 50kg to try & reach Paris.Now, Vinesh Phogat will be an Olympic medallist ? pic.twitter.com/sobk7faOmJ
— Devanayagam (@Devanayagam) August 6, 2024
How many humans can recover from THIS and yet continue to chase the goal of being the absolute best version of themselves?
Women are something else pic.twitter.com/e3FKZJgRtb
— Sucharita (@Su4ita) August 6, 2024
A player failed by the system, abused by the government, and maligned by the mainstream media shows who the true patriot is. https://t.co/ng2qHXgoo3
— वरुण ?? (@varungrover) August 6, 2024
back then Neeraj Chopra took a stand in support of the wrestlers, and today he expressed his happiness for Vinesh Phogat after whatever she went through & praying for her.
This is so heartwarming ? pic.twitter.com/YcTh7tnAtg
— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) August 6, 2024
Vinesh Phogat’s stunning victory! #VineshPhogat #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/T0C7N6mmlj
— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) August 6, 2024
A torn ligament. A lower weight category. An unbeaten world champion. Nothing stands in her way. Can’t wait to cheer @Phogat_Vinesh as she goes for gold. Your resilience and strength inspire us all. What an inspiring day, here’s hoping for one more! ??? #Paris2024 #Wrestling… pic.twitter.com/3AZ56wKEEZ
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 6, 2024
Vinesh Phogat led the protest against a powerful sexual predator, got assaulted by the police, and harassed by pro-govt shills.
Today she just became the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the final in Olympic history.
What an iconic story—one for the history books ? pic.twitter.com/TGzlYUqYSX
— Siddharth (@DearthOfSid) August 6, 2024
No matter what happens from here on, the journey of Vinesh Phogat is the most compelling narrative ever in Indian sport.
From Asian Games & Commonwealth glory to a career threatening injury in Rio to public enemy for standing up against perhaps the most intimidating figure in… pic.twitter.com/YqLmNzQ632— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) August 6, 2024
When you treat And she still
a National hero blazes through
like this. the Olympics.This country is built on the backs of women like Vinesh Phogat. pic.twitter.com/b38GTd5I5B
— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) August 6, 2024
Wow wow wow! Vinesh Phogat defeats the Olympic champion and world number 1. NEVER EVER forget that this is the same Vinesh who was subject to the most vicious character assassination campaign, who spent months on the street as a lead figure in women wrestler protests against an… pic.twitter.com/lXzzRnGM4S
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 6, 2024
absolutely phenomenal. these are the champions of this country the government in power tried to manhandle & silence because they wanted to protect an assaulter from their party. she’s already a winner, a star and this isn’t our country’s win, it’s only Vinesh Phogat’s win. https://t.co/O2Ez5EU8zF
— k (@krownnist) August 6, 2024
Molester Brijbhushan said that those wrestlers protesting against him have no value left anymore, no one calls them even at weddings.
Today, the whole country is chanting Vinesh Phogat’s name while spitting in Brijbhushan Singh.
Time has a funny way of teaching lessons.… pic.twitter.com/gLziGu6c4H
— Azy (@Azycontroll_) August 6, 2024
Every woman in India knows how Vinesh Phogat is feeling today. We all know it too well. Solidarity is a small word for what we owe you, Vinesh.
— Sukhada (@appadappajappa) August 6, 2024
Vinesh Phogat is my hero. She is a symbol of grit, self-belief and strength. Now I wish her to focus and get that Olympic Gold medal. For herself, for Indian women and for the entire nation.
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) August 6, 2024
However, tragedy struck as Vinesh was disqualified from the 50kg freestyle wrestling for being slightly overweight. Despite her qualification for the gold medal bout, she weighed a few grams over the limit, reported Economic Times.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) issued a statement: “Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests respect for Vinesh’s privacy as we focus on the competitions on hand.”
Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic saga in Paris was more than just an athletic pursuit; it was a symbol of resilience and a fight for justice. Her disqualification, a heartbreaking end to her Olympic dream, does not diminish her bravery and the broader cause she championed.