On November 20, 1989, a girl was born in Bhiwani, Haryana, who would grow up to transform the narrative around women in Indian sports, particularly wrestling. Babita Phogat, the second eldest of the iconic Phogat sisters, has created a lasting legacy of determination and success, paving the way for countless young girls to pursue careers in male-dominated arenas.
Changing Perceptions With The Phogat Sisters
The Phogat sisters, under the guidance of their father and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat, broke societal barriers with their sheer dedication. Babita and her sisters trained in shorts and wrestled mostly against boys due to the lack of female competitors in their locality. They endured criticism from their conservative community but remained steadfast, driven by their father’s vision and support.
Babita’s confidence grew when she achieved her first major victory against her elder sister Geeta in a local competition. It was a turning point that spurred her belief in her ability to achieve greatness.
A Stellar Wrestling Career
Babita’s journey from small-town Haryana to international fame is marked by significant accomplishments:
• 2009: Gold in the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships (51kg women’s freestyle)
• 2010: Silver at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi
• 2012: Bronze at the World Wrestling Championships in Canada
• 2013: Bronze at the Asian Championships (55kg category)
• 2014: Gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, achieved despite a ligament injury sustained shortly before her bouts
• 2018: Silver at the Commonwealth Games, becoming one of the few Indian athletes with three CWG medals to her name
Her Olympic Games debut at Rio in 2016 was a career milestone, although she exited in the early stages. Regardless, her resilience and determination have been a source of inspiration for many.
A Multifaceted Legacy
Beyond her wrestling career, Babita ventured into politics after her marriage to wrestler Vivek Suhag in 2019.
A Source Of Inspiration
Babita Phogat’s impact on Indian wrestling goes far beyond her medals. She has become a role model, demonstrating that determination and hard work can overcome even the most entrenched societal barriers. Her success has inspired a generation of young girls to dream bigger and pursue their ambitions fearlessly.
Happy Birthday, Babita Phogat – a true trailblazer whose legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come!
(Image credit: Olympic.com)