Vinesh and Babita, who won gold at CWG 2014, say they sacrificed many things to reach here
They are six sisters. While three have already arrived and conquered the ring, three more are waiting to be unleashed. Two of them, Babita and Vinesh, won a gold each in wrestling at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The eldest one Geeta, who won gold in the 2010 edition in Delhi, couldn’t go to Glasgow due to an injury. They are not real sisters — they are cousins — but are popular as Phogat sisters.
Their success at the world stage is a culmination of a long and challenging journey that started around a decade back, but their hunger to do well at the international level has not satiated as yet.
Babita pocketed a gold in women’s 55kg freestyle while her younger cousin Vinesh bagged the yellow metal in 48kg category, but it was a long and challenging journey for both.
Motivated by her cousins Geeta and Babita, 19-year-old Vinesh became the youngest to win a medal at her debut tournament when she won a gold at Glasgow.
“It was not an easy journey. I have been training for the last 10-12 years with my cousins and coaches before I could compete in an international tournament and win a gold medal,” said Vinesh on the sidelines of a function organised by JSW to felicitate eight medal winners at the Glasgow Games.
Hailing from Balali village in Haryana, Vinesh is third in line among the famous Phogat sisters. Talking about the sacrifices she had to make to fulfill her dreams of winning medals in wrestling ring, Vinesh said, “I left my studies after 8th standard and solely concentrated on wrestling. Today I feel happy that we get more recognition and respect than even the doctors and engineers. I feel happy when highly educated people also line up to meet us!”
She admitted that she was lucky to get support from her family and parents, unlike so many other girls who are forced to get married. “Girls do come to us and say that they also want to do wrestling but most of them are forced to get married. Some are either already married or are set to get married. So family’s support is extremely important,” she insisted.
“Then there are girls who come and practice hard for a couple of months and expect to win a medal straightaway. But when that doesn’t happen, they leave the sport mid-way. One needs to be patient and keep working hard,” Vinesh said.
Asked about her plans of marriage, Vinesh said, “Puri zindagi shaadi karke hi toh rehna hai (Marriage can wait for the time being because once I am married, I will be married for all my life), there is no hurry. I first want to win a few medals for my country.”
Babita, 24, said she never fall short of partners while practising as she always finds one of her sisters in the akhara. “We train together. We never have to look outside for partners. We help and support each other,” Babita, who won a bronze at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships, said.
Asked who will win out of her and Vinesh if the two happen to get into a contest, the more experienced Babita said, “Main he jeetungi (I will win).”
JSW announces Rs 5 lakh for each gold medalists
As many as eight athletes mentored by JSW Sports Excellence Programme won medals at the Commonwealth Games 2014, and to recognise their efforts, the corporate house on Wednesday announced a prize money of Rs 5 lakh for the gold medallists. While the silver medallists will be richer by Rs 2.5 lakhs, and the bronze medal winners will bag Rs 1.25 lakhs each.
In all 12 athletes, who are supported by JSW, had made it to the Commonwealth Games contingent, and eight of them returned with medals, which included three gold, as many silver and two bronze.
Parth Jindal, Director of JSW Sports said, “We are extremely proud of our athletes who have proved that India has the potential and will keep producing world class athletes if they are given the right backing and support.”
JSW honoured seven wrestlers — Amit Kumar, Babita Kumari, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang, Sakshi Kumar, Navjot Kaur and Pawan Kumar — and a judo player, Sushila for their achievement at the Commonwealth Games.