Vinesh Phogat (Born on 25 August 1994 in Bhiwani District, Haryana) is an Indian woman wrestler. Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both Commonwealth and Asian Games. Vinesh became the first Indian athlete to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards in 2019.
Vinesh is the daughter of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat's younger brother Rajpal and cousin of wrestlers Geeta Phogat, Babita Kumari and Ritu Phogat. Vinesh Phogat married her long-time boyfriend and fellow wrestler Somvir Rathee, who is a two times gold medallist in the national championship On 13 December 2018.
In 2013 Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi, India, Vinesh won the bronze medal in the women's freestyle 52 kg category. 2013 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Vinesh completed second and won the silver medal in the women's freestyle 51 kg category.
In 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Vinesh represented India in the women's freestyle 48 kg category and won the gold medal. At 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Vinesh won the bronze medal in the women's freestyle 48 kg category.
In 2015 Doha Asian Championships, Vinesh Phogat won the silver medal. Vinesh reached the Quarter Finals of 2016 Rio Olympics held in Istanbul. In 2016, Vinesh Phogat has been awarded with Arjuna Award.
In 2018 Gold Coast CommonWealth Games, Vinesh Phogat won the gold medal in women's 50 kg freestyle wrestling. Vinesh Phogat won the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games and became first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in the Asian Games. Vinesh Phogat nominated for Padma Shri award in 2018 by the Sports Authority of India.
Vinesh won the bronze medal in The 2019 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Xi'an, China. Vinesh Phogat won gold in the 2019 Yasar Dogu International. She also won gold in 2019 Poland Open wrestling tournament. In 2019 World Wrestling Championships, Vinesh Phogat captured a maiden World Championship medal in the women's 53 kg category and became the first Indian wrestler to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
In January 2020, Phogat won gold in Rome Ranking Series. Vinesh Phogat has been awarded with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly known as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award), the highest sporting honour of the Republic of India.
In Tokyo Olympics 2020, Vinesh Phogat's campaign ends without medal. She returns from a second successive Olympics without a medal. Vinesh Phogat was temporarily suspended by the Wrestling Federation of India for her alleged indiscipline during Tokyo Olympics 2020.
