Enormous challenge awaits Vinesh Phogat, five more Indians chase success in Paris
Vinesh Phogat will have to shake off a tumultuous build-up to the Paris Games when she takes mat, aiming for an elusive Olympic medal, while five of her colleagues will also strive to write their own success stories at the biggest stage when the wrestling event begins here Monday. Vinesh is easily India's most accomplished woman wrestler, with two World Championships, three CWG and eight Asian Championships medals adorning her cabinet, but her previous two Olympic campaigns have ended in heartbreaks.
She had returned from Rio (2016) with just a broken leg, but from Tokyo (2021), she came back with her soul scarred after a crushing defeat 'by fall' in the quarterfinals. She was accused of misconduct and suspended by the WFI for several alleged transgressions.
She claimed to have endured bouts of depression, and she was not sure of returning to the mat but she did. Not only she returned but also waged a battle outside the mat when she accused the WFI chief of sexual misconduct.
Leading the unprecedented protest, Vinesh spent nights on the streets along with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. It was a long battle, which continues in Indian courts.
Gradually, the protest lost steam, and its leaders lost face as the wrestling fraternity accused the three elite wrestlers of hurting the sport with their vested interests.
More challenges awaited Vinesh as she could not participate in the World Championships, where Antim Panghal locked in a quota in the 53kg category, which Vinesh had made her own.
Now she had to drop
