The Haryana Cabinet has decided to offer wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat benefits equivalent to those of an Olympic silver medallist under the state's sports policy.
'It is not like she is playing her first Olympics. It's her third Olympics. As an athlete, she must know the rules.'
Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has voiced his support for Vinesh Phogat after her unsuccessful return to competitive wrestling at the Asian Games selection trials, urging her to persevere despite the setback.
Vinesh Phogat gave her first reaction after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her appeal against disqualification from the Olympic final.
The Julana assembly seat in Haryana's Jind district is set to witness a keen electoral bout with the Bharatiya Janata Party fielding Capt Yogesh Bairagi, a former commercial pilot, against Congress' wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat for the October 5 assembly poll.
From battling opposition from the villagers who considered wrestling to be a man's sport, losing her father at the age of just nine, to taking on powerful federation officials, Vinesh has faced innumerable hardships on her way to realising her dreams.
During a recent felicitation ceremony in Jhajjar, Haryana, Vinesh celebrated her birthday and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she's received.
Vinesh Phogat has vowed to return stronger after losing in the Asian Games selection trials to Meenakshi Goyat. Phogat expressed her frustration with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and alleged unfair treatment during the trials, despite being allowed to compete following court intervention.
'This fight was against the strongest oppressive forces in the country. And Vinesh emerged victorious.'
Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday underwent a surgery on her right elbow, days after pulling out of the World Championship trials in New Delhi.
The former world championship bronze-medallist was part of meetings that Modi had with Tokyo Games athletes both before and after the Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat received a grand welcome on her return to the country with hundreds of supporters gathering outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
A viral photograph of Aamir Khan speaking to wrestler Vinesh Phogat over a video call has led to speculation that he is all set to make Dangal 2.
Vinesh Phogat was knocked out of the Asian Games selection trials in Delhi on Saturday after losing to Meenakshi Goyat 4-6 in a tense semi-final bout of the women's 53kg event.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced retirement after her heartbreaking disqualification from the Olympics, saying she doesn't have the strength to continue.
Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat aims to become the world champion this year after defeating Vinesh Phogat at the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) women's trials for the Asian Games squad.
'People need to stop the constant criticism in Indian sports.'
Vinesh Phogat didn't want to challenge the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision which upheld her disqualification from the final, said senior lawyer Harish Salve.
Vinesh demonstrated her dominance by defeating Jyoti in just two minutes.
Vinesh, who had travelled to Tokyo from Hungary where he had trained with coach Woller Akos, had refused to stay at the Games Village and train with the other Indian team members.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on Wednesday served a notice to wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat for whereabouts failure and sought an explanation within 14 days.
Vinesh had failed to win a medal in her two previous Olympics appearances.
Vinesh clears way for Antim Panghal's inclusion
Vinesh Phogat outclassed reigning European Champion Emma Malmgren of Sweden 8-0 in the women's 53kg event.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Wednesday amid speculation that the two star grapplers could be fielded in the Haryana assembly polls by the party.
Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday joined protesting farmers at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana and said the central government should pay heed to their demands and make it a priority to address their issues.
IOA president PT Usha made it clear that it is the responsibility of the athlete to manage their weight and the attack on its medical team.
The Supreme Court allowed Olympian Vinesh Phogat to compete in the 2026 Asian Games selection trials while cautioning against excessive judicial interference in sporting matters during the hearing of WFI's plea challenging the Delhi High Court order.
Vinesh claimed that twice in the past sexual harassment cases were reported during the national camp but the WFI succeeded in sweeping the matter under the carpet.
Bajrang Punia says men's camp should start on schedule.
Ace Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik created history by grabbing two spots in women's wrestling for India for the Rio Olympics, in Istanbul, on Saturday.
Japan's Olympic champion Rei Higuchi offered his support to Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was debarred from her final in the Paris Games for being 100gm above the prescribed weight limit.
The only woman wrestler to have qualified for Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh said she would prefer to be in isolation for some time.
The two wrestlers, who have accused Sharan Singh of sexually harassing women grapplers, called on the PM to intervene.
Panghal defended her 53kg crown at the U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan.
'I was not nervous because I had to wrestle strong opponents. It is a World Championship and qualifying for the Olympics was very important for me, so that nervousness was there'
Congress leader Kumari Selja ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the AAP for the Haryana assembly polls.
The 23-year-old champion wrestler's Asian gold medal tells us that tough times don't last, tough people do.
Vinesh Phogat returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to the government protesting against the election of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh-loyalist Sanjay Singh.
Ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has become the first Indian to receive a nomination in the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards to be held, in Monaco, on February 18.
