Vinesh Phogat: Third Time's the Charm for Olympic medal?

Vinesh Phogat, a talented wrestler from Balali village in Haryana, is ready to make her mark at the Paris Olympics. After facing challenges in her previous Olympic appearances, Vinesh is now a strong contender for a gold medal in the 50kg weight category. 

A Family of Champions 

Vinesh comes from a family of wrestlers. She is the cousin of Geeta and Babita Phogat, known as the "Dangal girls" after the popular movie about their lives. Her uncle, Mahavir Phogat, is a well-known wrestling coach who has won the Dronacharya Award, India's highest honor for sports coaches. 

Overcoming Past Challenges 

Vinesh's Olympic journey hasn't been easy. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, she suffered a painful injury. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she competed after surgery but faced a disappointing loss. However, these setbacks have only made her more determined to succeed in Paris.

High Hopes for Paris

Mahavir Phogat, Vinesh's uncle and coach, is very confident about her chances in Paris. He believes that Vinesh's hard work in reducing her weight to compete in the 50kg category will pay off. He says, "Vinesh will win the gold medal and make the country proud." 

Vinesh will compete on August 6th, and many Indians are hoping she'll bring home the gold. Her uncle has trained her in special wrestling moves, including a tackle and counter technique, which he believes will help her win. 

Mahavir Phogat also expressed hope that other Indian women wrestlers will win medals in Paris. However, he expressed disappointment that no male wrestlers from India qualified for these Olympics. He encouraged the male wrestlers to work hard for the 2028 Olympics.

As Vinesh prepares for her third Olympic appearance, she carries not only her own dreams but also the hopes of her family and the entire nation. Her journey from a small village in Haryana to the Olympic stage is an inspiration to many young athletes in India.