Vinesh Phogat, Haryana Election 2024:
Indian star wrestler Vinesh Phogat has achieved feats in her career that have set challenges bowing before her. Yet, in recent years, she has encountered profound issues that have only made her stronger.
The top three challenges Vinesh faced started with a protest against the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. During this time, Vinesh, alongside Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, put in significant efforts.
Defeated by the Rules at the Paris Olympics
Following this, another major challenge awaited Vinesh at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite winning the semifinal and securing a silver medal, a rule stripped it away from her. Vinesh launched another fight but had to endure a loss.
The third major hurdle she encountered was during the Haryana assembly elections 2024. Here, Vinesh achieved a dynamic victory and soon will be stepping into the assembly for the first time. Between all this, from Paris to the Julana assembly seat, the number 8 has played an intriguing role for Vinesh.
In addition, while in Paris, Vinesh was defeated by the weighing machine. However, in the Haryana elections, the voting machine crowned her a winner. Let’s explore the challenges Vinesh faced regarding the Paris Olympics and the Haryana elections in brief...
Source: aajtak
100 Grams Overweight, A Medal Lost
Competing in the 50 kg weight class at the Paris Olympics, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat played three successive matches on August 6, securing victories in all, including the semifinal, clinching a silver medal by then.
By securing a final spot, Vinesh had guaranteed herself at least a silver – even in defeat. The final was to take place around midnight on August 7, Indian Standard Time, technically making it August 8.
However, on the morning of August 7, Vinesh's weight was checked and found 100 grams over the 50 kg category limit. Consequently, she was disqualified, barring her from competing in the final and stripping her of the silver. The wrestler she defeated in the semifinal received the final chance.
Vinesh Phogat appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking joint silver recognition. CAS, however, dismissed the appeal citing rules, shattering Vinesh's medal dream.
Source: aajtak
Venturing into Politics and Securing Victory
Renowned as a robust wrestler, Vinesh Phogat stepped into politics after the Olympics, joining the Congress party. This decision came before the Haryana assembly election. Although her uncle and wrestling guru Mahavir Singh Phogat did not approve, Vinesh dived into politics.
Despite all, Vinesh contested from the Julana seat in the Haryana assembly election. Akin to a wrestling bout, she faced WWE wrestler Kavita Rani (Kavita Dalal), a competitor from the Aam Aadmi Party. Kavita's deposit was forfeited. Although Vinesh emerged victorious, her party, Congress, fell short of forming a government.
Vinesh secured a total of 65,080 votes, defeating the BJP candidate Yogesh Kumar by 6015 votes. The Haryana assembly election results were announced on October 8, while Vinesh's Paris Olympic final was technically on August 8. Thus, the date 8 becomes a coincidental hallmark in Vinesh's journey.
