Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat

The unfortunate Olympic heartbreaks of Vinesh Phogat, from Rio to Tokyo!

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat hasn't had much luck at the Olympics despite having an impressive record. Following are her performances from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Whenever Indian wrestling is discussed, one name that consistently emerges at the forefront is Vinesh Phogat. As a vital member of the renowned Phogat sisters from India, Vinesh Phogat has etched her name in history as the first Indian woman wrestler to achieve gold medals at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, showcasing her remarkable prowess on the international stage. In addition to these impressive accolades, Vinesh proudly possesses a bronze medal from the esteemed World Championships.

Hailing from a family deeply rooted in the sport of wrestling, Vinesh Phogat made her indelible mark on the global scene in 2013, when she was just 19 years old. At the Asian Wrestling Championship held in Delhi, she demonstrated her exceptional skills and tenacity, securing a well-deserved bronze medal. Shortly thereafter, Vinesh Phogat stunned the audience at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by triumphing over the favored local wrestler, Yana Rattigan, claiming the coveted gold medal.

Since that pivotal moment, Vinesh Phogat's journey has been marked by an unwavering dedication to excellence. She has amassed an impressive collection of medals, including another gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, a historic bronze at the 2019 World Championships, and most recently, the prestigious Asian Championship title in 2021. Few Indian wrestlers can rival the extraordinary accomplishments of Vinesh Phogat over the past few years, solidifying her status as one of the nation's most celebrated athletes.

However, despite her consistent performances and remarkable achievements, Vinesh Phogat has yet to taste victory on the grandest stage of all—the Olympic Games. In the following sections, we delve into Vinesh Phogat's gripping experiences and performances in the two Olympic Games she has been a part of, reflecting on her pursuit of Olympic glory and the challenges she has encountered along the way.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Vinesh Phogat

Heading into the Rio 2016 Olympics, Vinesh Phogat had already established herself as a formidable wrestler. She had secured the Asian Championship silver medal in 2015, demonstrating her mettle on the international stage. Building upon her success, Vinesh Phogat showcased her exceptional skills at the Olympic qualifiers in Istanbul, where she emerged victorious over Polish wrestler Iwona Motkowska, solidifying her place in the women's 48kg division for the Rio Games.

At just 21 years old, Vinesh Phogat made a dazzling debut at the Olympics, dominating her first match against Romania's Emilia Alina Vuc with an impressive 11-0 victory by technical superiority. Despite suffering a right elbow twist early in the bout, Vinesh Phogat exhibited incredible resilience, refusing to let it hinder her performance.

In the quarter-finals, Vinesh Phogat faced a formidable opponent in China's Sun Yanan. The match proved to be a tight contest, with both wrestlers displaying their skills. Vinesh Phogat initially gained a point due to a passivity call against Yanan, but the Chinese wrestler swiftly retaliated, earning two points with a well-executed takedown.

However, the turning point came when Yanan managed to pin Vinesh Phogat in an uncomfortable position, causing immense pain and resulting in a knee injury for the Indian wrestler. Overwhelmed by agony, Vinesh Phogat was tearfully carried off the mat on a stretcher, bringing an unfortunate and abrupt end to her maiden Olympic Games.

While the injury left fans uncertain about her future in wrestling, Vinesh Phogat returned to the sport in 2018 with renewed determination. In the period between the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, she participated in an impressive 17 championships, leaving an indelible mark in each. Out of these competitions, Vinesh Phogat secured medals in a remarkable 16 of them, including nine golds, six silvers, and one bronze medal. Her remarkable comeback showcased her resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to her craft.

Vinesh Phogat at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Vinesh Phogat's journey to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was solidified when she clinched the bronze medal at the 2019 world championships held in Kazakhstan. Notably, she had made the decision to move up a weight class, competing at 53kg, in the preceding years.

Despite the unfortunate one-year postponement of the Tokyo Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vinesh Phogat entered Tokyo 2020 as the reigning world No. 1 in her weight class. She was the top seed, having displayed exceptional form throughout the first half of 2021, which included her first-ever Asian championship title.

Driven to overcome the heartbreak of Rio, Vinesh Phogat began her Tokyo Olympics campaign on a high note, securing a commanding 7-1 victory over Sweden's Sofia Mattsson, who had won a bronze medal in Rio 2016.

However, Vinesh Phogat's aspirations for a triumphant comeback were dashed when Belarusian wrestler Vanesa Kaladzinskaya produced a stunning upset, defeating the top-seeded Indian with a score of 9-3 in the quarter-final bout.

Vinesh Phogat's journey in the tournament came to an end after Vanesa Kaladzinskaya was unable to advance to the final, extinguishing any hopes of participating in the repechage for the Indian wrestler.

Following the defeat, a deeply saddened Vinesh Phogat candidly expressed her intention to take a break from wrestling, citing reasons related to her mental health. She revealed to The Indian Express, "My body is not broken, but I truly am." Moreover, she acknowledged uncertainty about her return to the sport, questioning whether she would continue wrestling at all.

While Vinesh Phogat grapples with these challenges, it is important to note that she has time on her side to pursue her Olympic dream. By the time Paris 2024 arrives, Vinesh Phogat will only be 29 years old, providing her with an opportunity to regroup and strive towards her aspirations on the wrestling mat once again.