Indian wrestling sensation Vinesh Phogat recently shared a heartfelt post about her life, career, and the personal battles she faced along the way. From dreaming of ordinary things as a child to becoming one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, Vinesh’s story is one of courage, resilience, and the power of family.

Growing up in a small village in Haryana, Vinesh’s childhood dreams were simple: having long hair, flaunting a mobile phone, and enjoying the carefree life of a young girl. Little did she know that her path would lead her to become the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold medals at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Her journey took her to three Olympic Games, including her final appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she reached the final of the women's 50kg category but was heartbreakingly disqualified for being just 100 grams over the weight limit.

After the disqualification, the Indian delegation fought for her, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the decision. Vinesh soon announced her retirement from wrestling with a message filled with emotion and gratitude: "Maa, kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness."

In a post on social media, Vinesh looked back at her journey and shared memories from her childhood. She confessed that as a young girl, she didn’t know what the Olympics were or the significance of the Olympic rings. Her dreams were far from the wrestling mat.

The post delved deeper into the personal challenges Vinesh faced growing up. She spoke about her father, a humble bus driver, who had high hopes for her. He often told her that one day she would soar high in a plane while he drove below on the road. “I didn’t understand the weight of his words at that time,” she admitted. Tragically, her father passed away when she was still very young.

The loss of her father was quickly followed by another blow—her mother was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Vinesh and her siblings were forced to grow up fast, setting aside their childhood to support their mother through her illness. The dreams of long hair and mobile phones faded away as Vinesh focused on survival and supporting her family.

Vinesh credited her mother for teaching her how to fight—not just in wrestling but in life. “She taught me to fight for what is rightfully mine,” Vinesh wrote. Her mother's courage became the foundation for Vinesh’s own strength, driving her to face every challenge head-on, regardless of the outcome.

In addition to her mother, Vinesh spoke about her husband, Somvir Rathee, who stood by her side through thick and thin. Describing him as her “best friend for life,” she expressed gratitude for his unwavering support and sacrifice. “He placed my journey above his own and shielded me from hardships,” she wrote, acknowledging that without his constant companionship, her journey wouldn’t have been possible.

Vinesh Phogat’s story is a testament to the strength of family, the power of perseverance, and the sacrifices made on the path to success. Her wrestling career may have come to an end, but her legacy of resilience and determination will continue to inspire future generations.

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