Rio 2016: The young and ambitious Olympian, wrestler Vinesh Phogat

Even as India is still looking to clinch a medal at the Olympics, a 21 year old wrestler from Haryana is giving the nation hope. Vinesh Phogat will square off today at Rio in the 48 kg category against Romanian Emilia Alina Vuc. The youngest from a family of distinguished women wrestlers, no doubt her whole household will be cheering for her today.

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After winning a gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a bronze at the Asian Games and a silver at the Asian Championships, the Olympics are the next goal for Phogat. Here are some facts to know about the wrestler:

• Vinesh Phogat was born in Balali, Haryana on 25th August 1994 in a wrestling family. Her father Rajput Phogat, the younger brother of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, her cousin sister Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari are both international wrestlers and they have gold medals in their names at Asian Games, Common Wealth Games and World Wrestling championships.

• The two brothers- Rajput and Mahavir had a tough time training the three ladies in wrestling as they faced opposition from their conservative village in their decision. Today however after the success the ladies have achieved, the villagers too are proud of them.

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• Vinesh started off her wrestling championship career in 2013, at Asian Wrestling Championships held at Delhi. Her first ever achievement was that she won the bronze medal in the women’s freestyle 51kg category.

• Vinesh has won many wrestling accolades. These include winning silver at the Common Wealth wrestling championship held at Johannesburg, Sounth Africa and a gold medal in the women’s freestyle 48kg category at the Common Wealth Games in 2014. Likewise a bronze medal at 2014 Asian Games and Silver medal at 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships are her other achievements so far.

Feature Image Credit: Jansatta.com

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