Mahavir Singh Phogat, renowned as both a former wrestling coach and the uncle of Vinesh Phogat, has shared his views on Vinesh’s recent pivot to politics. According to Phogat, with Vinesh stepping away from wrestling to pursue a political career, his daughter, Sangeeta Phogat, is now set to carry forward his wrestling ambitions. Phogat has begun rigorous preparations with Sangeeta for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, believing she has the potential to secure a medal for India.
Sangeeta’s husband, wrestler Bajrang Punia, who earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and Vinesh herself recently joined the Congress party. Vinesh is also set to contest in the Haryana elections from the Julana constituency in the Jind district.
Phogat voiced his disappointment regarding Vinesh’s decision to enter politics, criticising the shift from her planned Olympic career. He expressed his frustration, highlighting that Vinesh was expected to win a gold medal for India at the 2028 Games. Phogat’s discontent extends to Vinesh’s political trajectory, as he had hoped she would focus solely on wrestling and fulfil the nation’s Olympic hopes.
Phogat further accused political figures Deepender Hooda and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda of using Vinesh’s recent Olympic disappointment to push her into the political arena. Vinesh was disqualified from the 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics for being marginally overweight, a setback that led her to announce her departure from wrestling via social media.
