Vinesh Phogat has endured many a setback in her relatively young career so far but has now learnt to put her faith in the ‘universe’s plans’ and be grateful that she could confront those challenges that eventually made her mentally stronger.
She was one of India’s brightest hopes during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games but returned on a stretcher, suffering a knee injury against China’s Sun Yanan in her quarter-final bout.
The 26-year-old came back stronger, though. She ironed out flaws in the next three years, went on to become one of the best in the business and qualified for the 2020 edition with her first World Championship medal.
Well-prepared, she was raring to go at the 2020 Olympics but the Tokyo edition got postponed due to coronavirus pandemic.
She then contracted Covid-19 but recovered, regrouped and yet again announced a strong comeback by winning titles at Matteo Pellicone (Rome) and the Asian Championship (Almaty) this season.
Watch highlights: Vinesh Phogat’s ruthless run to a first Asian Wrestling Championships gold medal
“The up and downs has made me stronger, mature. If I am considered mentally tough today, it’s because I have faced all these tough times. The Rio (injury incident) has taught me a lot.
It all happened with me because the nature wanted me to be stronger,” a philosophical Phogat said during a media interaction, facilitated by the Sports Authority of India.
Does she have a fear that the Games won’t happen when she is a favourite from India?
“It did cross my mind last year but not any more,” she said.
“Even If I win a medal in Tokyo, it’s not that I will stop wrestling after that. Earlier, I used to think what people would say if I lose. Now, I have realised that the after-effect of victory or defeat remains for two days. People tend to forget after that. Rio changed me. I play for myself now, for the fun of wrestling.”
The Haryana wrestler also admitted that though she enjoyed great results at recent championships – Rome and Almaty – it did not gave her right assessment ahead of Tokyo Games in the absence of stronger rivals.
She did not concede a single point in these two events, winning most of her bouts by fall.
“I did not go there, aiming to win an Asian gold. First we knew that Korea has pulled out, then China pulled out, then after reaching there, we realised Japan is also not there,” she said.
For Phogat, wrestling is not just about an Olympic medal but also about the journey and the process. “Wrestling will not be over even if it does not happen. I must keep at it and take whatever I get during this journey. All I am, concerned now If I did what needed to do in a particular situation,” she added.
Phogat said that she has become a much calmer person both on and off the mat in the last four years.
“I used to break down emotionally, If I lose. Taking defeat or even a minor injury in my stride used to be difficult. But now I am matured, I can handle defeats. I know that defeat only means that I need to improve. My anger is perhaps under control. I was also aggressive on the match but now I remain focussed on mat,” she explained.
Working with her Belgian coach Woller Akos has helped her immensely.
“I wrestle very smooth now and one can see it from the outside. My motion has got better, I use my hands better. I am not in hurry now. I time my attacks well now. There is a strategy in place for every single rival,” she said.
The Asian Games gold medallist said she still faces recovery issues but it has nothing to do with Covid-19.
“My salt levels drop at times. It causes me dizziness and I can’’t see. By the time I competed at Asian Championship, the co-ordination between mind and body got better.”
Asked what advantage she got after moving from 50kg to 53kg category, Vinesh said with a big sime,”I can fill my stomach and eat whatever I want.”
With PTI Inputs
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!