Mahavir Singh Phogat, the uncle and former coach of renowned wrestler Vinesh Phogat, has announced a change of plans. With Vinesh venturing into politics, Mahavir has shifted his focus to preparing his younger daughter, Sangeeta Phogat, for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This decision comes after Vinesh, alongside her husband, Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, joined the Congress party last week. Vinesh will be contesting the upcoming elections in the Julana constituency of Jind district.
Expressing his disappointment, Mahavir stated, “Vinesh was supposed to aim for the LA Olympics, but now that she has chosen politics, we have started training Sangeeta for the 2028 Games. She has the potential to bring home a medal for India.” He further explained that Sangeeta missed the Nationals due to the Jantar Mantar protests and that Babita Phogat’s knee injury has sidelined her from competitive wrestling.
The Dronacharya Awardee, known for his exceptional coaching skills, openly opposed Vinesh’s entry into politics. He had envisioned her representing India at the 2028 Olympics and securing a gold medal. “I wanted Vinesh to prepare for the 2028 Olympics. The decision to contest elections is solely hers and her husband’s. We never encouraged her to enter politics. I am not happy with her decision. The entire nation was expecting Vinesh to win gold in 2028, and I had the same hope,” he said.
Mahavir added, “She might become a legislator or even a minister, but if she had won Olympic gold, it would have been a lifelong achievement.” He also accused Deepender Hooda and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda of manipulating Vinesh into politics. “Everyone was disheartened after the 2024 Olympics setback, and to capitalize on that, the Hoodas pushed Vinesh into politics. Initially, she didn’t want to contest the elections.”
Vinesh faced a devastating setback at the Paris Olympics when she was disqualified from the 50kg freestyle final for being overweight. This led her to announce her retirement from wrestling on social media. Now, with Vinesh’s political ambitions, the focus shifts to Sangeeta, who will carry the torch for the family in the wrestling arena. It remains to be seen if she can fulfill her father’s Olympic dream and make her mark on the international stage.
