Vinesh has participated in three Olympic Games. At Rio 2016, she competed in the Women's Freestyle 48kg category but was eliminated in the quarter-finals due to an ACL injury. She also reached the quarter-finals in Tokyo 2021 in the Women's Freestyle 53kg category, finishing ninth.

World Championships Success

Vinesh has achieved significant success at the World Championships. She won bronze medals in the Women's Freestyle 53kg category in both 2019 and 2022. Her performances have made her the first female Indian wrestler to win multiple medals at the World Championships.

Asian and Commonwealth Games

Vinesh has also excelled at the Asian and Commonwealth Games. She won gold in the 50kg category at the 2018 Asian Games and bronze in the 48kg category at the 2014 Asian Games. Additionally, she is a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, winning in 2014 (48kg), 2018 (50kg), and 2022 (53kg).

Family Background

Vinesh comes from a family renowned for wrestling. Her cousins Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat have represented India at the Olympics. Her brother-in-law, Bajrang Punia, won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020. Her sister Priyanka Phogat is a silver medallist at the 2016 Asian Championships.

Challenges and Injuries

In August 2016, Vinesh tore her anterior cruciate ligament during her quarterfinal bout at Rio 2016 and had to be stretchered off the mat. Despite this setback, she made a strong comeback and continued to compete at the highest level.

Weight Class Focus

Throughout her career, Vinesh has competed in various weight classes. She initially competed in the 48kg category but shifted to the 53kg category from 2019 onwards due to rule changes requiring weigh-ins on competition day. This shift required her to focus more on speed and power.

Professional Life

Apart from wrestling, Vinesh works with Indian Railways under a sports quota programme that allows her to train and compete internationally. She holds a degree from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

Protest and Advocacy

In 2023, Vinesh was detained by police in New Delhi along with other female wrestlers while protesting against allegations of sexual misconduct within the sport's governing body.

Vinesh Phogat's journey is marked by resilience and determination. As she continues to compete actively, her achievements inspire many young athletes across India.