This article will tell you about the inspiring career of Indian wrestler Geeta Phogat
Geeta Phogat is an Indian wrestler who was born on December 15, 1988, in the Balali village of Haryana, India. He has made a significant impact on the sport, both nationally and internationally.
She is one of the most successful female wrestlers in Indian history, having won numerous medals and championships.
Geeta is the daughter of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler who became a coach and trained his daughters in wrestling. She started wrestling at a young age and was trained by her father, who also coached her sisters, including Babita Kumari and Vinesh Phogat.
Early Career
Geeta Phogat first made her mark in national wrestling when she won a gold medal at the 2009 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship in Jalandhar, Punjab. She followed this up with a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
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In this process, she became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. In 2011, she won a bronze medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan.
Mid Career
Geeta Phogat’s greatest achievement came in the 2012 World Wrestling Championships in Canada, where she won the bronze medal in the 55 kg freestyle wrestling category. She became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a medal at the World Championships.
She continued her winning streak in the following years, winning a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. She also won a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Geeta also represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she competed in the 58 kg freestyle wrestling category.
Retirement
In November 2019, Geeta Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling, citing personal reasons. She stated that she would now focus on coaching and training young wrestlers.
Geeta Phogat has since become a coach and mentor to young wrestlers, working with the Indian government’s Khelo India programme to promote and develop wrestling in the country.
She has also been involved in various social and charitable causes, including the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign to promote education and empowerment for girls.
Geeta’s success in wrestling has inspired many young girls in India to take up the sport. She has broken barriers and stereotypes, proving that women can excel in traditionally male-dominated sports.
Her story was also portrayed in the 2016 Bollywood film “Dangal”, which tells the story of her father Mahavir Singh Phogat and his efforts to train his daughters in wrestling. The film was a huge success and brought Geeta and her family to the attention of the international audience.
Conclusion
Geeta Phogat’s career has been one of the most successful in Indian wrestling history. She has won numerous medals and championships and has broken barriers and stereotypes, inspiring a new generation of young female wrestlers in India.
Her legacy is sure to endure, and her contribution to Indian wrestling will continue to inspire and motivate wrestlers for years to come.
