Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win two medals at the World Championship. The 28-year-old’s maiden World Championship medal was a bronze at the event in 2019. She went on to bag her second bronze at the World Wrestling Championship 2022 in the women’s 53kg category in Belgrade on Wednesday.
Phogat’s win, however, was one she bagged after overcoming many obstacles- including last-minute, rigorous weight loss, a busted knee as well as period cramps. She defeated Sweden’s Emma Malmgren by 8-0 to win bronze at the World Championship. The wrestler’s journey so far has been an inspiring one in itself. Be it overcoming a phase of mental or physical health issues, Phogat has always proved herself a winner with her comebacks and true grit.
Ground-breaking feats, however, are no new thing for Phogat, who also became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games where she won the gold medal in the women’s 53 kg freestyle wrestling category and a gold at the Asian Games in the 50kg category.
Phogat was also the first Indian athlete to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards in 2019. She has previously shown exemplary performances at International championships like the Olympics, Asian Championship as well as Commonwealth Championship and Commonwealth Games.
Image Source: thehindu.com