Tag: Vinesh Phogat

  • Who Is Captain Yogesh Bairagi, BJP Pick Against Vinesh Phogat From Julana? Modi’s Masterstroke Or Mistake In Haryana? |

    Haryana Vidhansabha Chunav 2024: The BJP has nominated Captain Yogesh Bairagi from Haryana’s Julana seat. Bairagi, a 35-year-old former army officer and commercial pilot, hails from Paanju Kalan village and resides in Safidon. Bairagi plays an active role in the BJP, serving in various capacities such as state vice president of the youth wing, state co-convener of the sports cell, and a member of the state executive committee for the youth wing in Haryana. He is married, has one son, holds a Bachelor’s degree, and is currently engaged in business.

    Bairagi served in the Indian Army as a Captain for nine years before transitioning into aviation and eventually politics. His father, Narendra Kumar, also pursued a political career and previously sought a BJP ticket.

    Bairagi gained attention for his involvement in relief and rescue operations during the Chennai floods and for participating in the Vande Bharat Mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Julana, a constituency with a majority Jat population, consists of about 81,000 Jat voters, along with significant Backward Class (33,608) and Scheduled Caste (29,661) communities. In a strategic decision, the BJP has chosen to field Bairagi, a non-Jat candidate from the backward class, aiming to expand its reach across various voter groups. Now, it will be interesting to see whether fielding a non-Jat candidate against former wrestler and Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat proves to be a masterstroke by Narendra Modi-led BJP or a mistake as Phogat enjoys a sympathy factor in this election following her unexpected exit from the Paris Olympics 2024.

    The Julana seat has been a distant dream for Congress. In the last election, the seat was won by JJP in 2019 and the Indian National Lok Dal in 2014 and 2009. The Congress last won the seat in 2005. The BJP has also not won the seat so far. 

  • Vinesh Phogat Visits Golden Temple, Prays To Waheguru To Give Her ‘Strength’ Other

    Vinesh Phogat paid obeisance at the Golden Temple on Friday and prayed to Waheguru to give her strength. After offering prayers at the Golden Temple, Vinesh said while speaking to reporters, “I am feeling very good after coming here. I am feeling a positive energy. I prayed to Waheguru to give me strength.”

    It has been a topsy-turvy month for Vinesh after she reached the final of the women’s 50kg event but still returned to India empty-handed. On August 7, Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States stood between Vinesh and the gold medal.

    #VineshPhogat@Phogat_Vinesh pic.twitter.com/qDGBd0cXgA Praveen Panghal (@ppanghalch) August 30, 2024

    However, things went downhill after she was disqualified before the final after breaching the 50kg weight limit. A day after her heartbreaking disqualification, Vinesh announced her decision to retire from wrestling. She also made a plea to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to award her a joint silver medal.

    The CAS deferred the verdict a couple of times and eventually dismissed the application filed by Vinesh for a silver medal in the women’s 50kg event at the Paris Olympics. Despite not receiving a medal for her efforts and landmark wins at the Olympics, an excited crowd of thousands welcomed the wrestler like they would have welcomed with a medal around her neck on August 17.

    People thronged in thousands to get a glimpse of one of the country’s most celebrated athletes of recent times, waiting to exchange a few words and get a selfie with her. She was welcomed with garlands and flowers in her hometown, Bhiwani. Since announcing her retirement, Vinesh has also hinted towards a possible change in heart and reversing her decision.

    In a statement that she posted on her social media account, Vinesh said, “Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032 because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there.”

  • Vinesh Phogat Receives Heroic Welcome After Paris Olympics Heartbreak, Wrestler Breaks Down in Tears- WATCH | Other

    Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat returned to India on Saturday, August 17, after her participation in the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024. Upon her arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, she was greeted with a grand welcome by a large crowd of supporters. and well-wishers. Among those present to welcome her were fellow wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and prominent political figure Bhupendra Hooda.

    #WATCH | Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat receives a warm welcome at Delhi’s IGI Airport

    She arrived here from Paris after participating in the #Olympics2024Paris. pic.twitter.com/VlTk0g68Lt

    — ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2024

    Vinesh Phogat’s impressive performance at the Paris Olympics has made her a fan-favorite, even though her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal was dismissed earlier this week, leading to an extended stay in Paris. London Olympics bronze medalist Gagan Narang, who served as the Indian contingent’s chief de mission in Paris, also welcomed Vinesh at the airport. He shared a photo with her, praising her resilience and calling her a champion, emphasizing that her inspiration extends beyond winning an Olympic medal.

    As she arrived at the airport, an emotional Vinesh Phogat expressed her gratitude to the nation, saying, “I thank all the countrymen. I am very fortunate.” Her return has sparked celebrations in her native village of Balali in Haryana, where preparations are in full swing to give her a grand welcome.

    In Balali, a total of 750 kg of boondi ladoos have been prepared to mark the occasion. The ladoos, dubbed “golden ladoos” by the villagers, symbolize the pride they feel for Vinesh. Halwai Mandeep Swami, who has been overseeing the preparation of the ladoos, expressed the villagers’ excitement, saying, “The golden ladoos are for the welcome of the golden girl of our village.” The temple head, Ramkumar, added, “Our daughter is coming home. More than 10,000 people are expected to join the celebration.”

    Vinesh’s homecoming is not just a return but a moment of pride for the entire village, showcasing the deep admiration and love that the people of India have for their Olympic hero.

  • Vinesh Phogat Olympic Medal Case: Why CAS Has Delayed Appeal Decision For The Third Time? , Other

    Vinesh Phogat’s quest for justice took another turn when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) postponed its verdict on her appeal for a joint silver medal in the 50kg women’s wrestling category at the Paris Olympics 2024. Disqualified for being 100 grams overweight on the morning. Of her gold medal bout, Phogat and her team had hoped for a swift resolution. They, along with Indian fans, awaited the outcome with bated breath after the hearing on August 9. However, the decision has now been delayed for the third time, with the CAS rescheduling the verdict for August 16 at 6 PM Paris Time, or 9 :30 PM IST.

    Vinesh Phogat Medal Case: Why The Verdict Is Postponed For The Third Time?

    According to Article 20 of the CAS rules, a decision should typically be delivered within 24 hours of a hearing. By this standard, a ruling on Phogat’s case should have been made by August 9. Nevertheless, the CAS has cited Article 18 for the delay, which allows for an extension of the decision timeline in exceptional circumstances.

    Article 18 grants the CAS President or Vice President the authority to postpone the verdict announcement if deemed necessary due to specific circumstances. The CAS Ad Hoc Division has officially communicated that, in accordance with Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the deadline for the panel’s decision has been extended to August 16, 2024, at 18:00 Paris Time.

    Vinesh Phogat Might Win The Battle

    Phogat’s lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania, has suggested that the repeated delays might indicate that the CAS is giving serious consideration to the case. He expressed optimism that the extended timeline could be a positive sign, suggesting that the panel is thoughtfully deliberating the matter.

    “We all believe that the repeated extensions indicate that the CAS panel is seriously considering the case. If the Arbitrator is taking extra time, it could be favorable for us,” Singhania stated. This ongoing anticipation reflects the high stakes and the intense scrutiny surrounding Phogat’s appeal as she seeks to rectify the unfortunate situation and potentially secure a silver medal.

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat Eyes Gold Medal After Win Over Yusneylis Guzman Lopez In Semifinal | Other

    India Wrestler Vinesh Phogat scripted history on Tuesday (August 6) as she became the first athlete who will win a silver or gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 for India. She defeated Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinal to secure her spot in the final of Women’s 50kg Freestyle Wrestling.

    Following a flawless outing on the mat, Vinesh became the first Indian to reach the Olympic final in women’s wrestling. She waved her hand towards the crowd for their unwavering support after confirming India’s fourth medal at the Paris Olympics. Vinesh adopted an aggressive approach in the opening minutes of the bout. But the Cuban grappler stood firm with her defensive approach and didn’t allow Vinesh to take away any point. (Meet Vinesh Phogat’s Husband Somvir Rathee Who’s Also A Wrestler: Know All About Their Love Story – In Pics)

    Guzman Lopez was handed a passivity warning and had thirty seconds to score a point. Vinesh didn’t give her much of an opening and took the first point in the semi-final bout. The Indian grappler maintained the slender one-point lead in the second half. She showed her aggression and managed to get Lopez in her grip. She turned her around and took a 5-0 lead. Towards the end, Lopez tried to turn things around with one final surge. Vinesh deflected the attacks that were thrown her way and stormed into the final to fight for gold. Earlier in the day, Vinesh starred in the quarter-finals against Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan.

    Susaki was leading 1-0 at the end of the first period, but Vinesh made a brilliant turnaround in the second period, outdoing her Japanese opponent by miles to secure a 3-2 win to make way to the quarter-finals. She handed the Japanese wrestler her first defeat in 82 international matches.

    In the quarter-finals against Ukraine’s Oksana Livach, Vinesh took a lead of 2–0 in the first period. However, Oksana managed to deliver a fight in the second period. But Vinesh, the World Championships medalist held off the challenge from Ukrainian and secured a semi-final berth. (With ANI Inputs)

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat Two Wins Away From Gold Medal, Check Where To Watch Her In Action Here Against Yusneylys Guzman In Semifnal | Other

    Seasoned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat entered her maiden Olympic semifinals in the 50kg category, beating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the last-eight stage on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Vinesh defeated Livach 7-5 in a hard-fought bout to get closer to an elusive Olympic medal in her third attempt. This was after she caused the biggest wrestling upset in this games when she shocked four-time world champion and reigning gold-medallist Yui Susaki of Japan on points to enter the quarter-finals.

    Trailing 0-2 after conceding penalty points for passivity, the Indian wrestler came back brilliantly in the last five seconds to take down the top seed by clinching three points to win 3-2. Vinesh had failed to win a medal in her two previous Olympic appearances. (India vs Germany LIVE Action Hockey Semifinal At Paris Olympics 2024)

    Here are the livestreaming details of Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match…

    When will Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman take place?

    Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman will take place on Tuesday (August 6).

    What time will Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman take place?

    Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman will take place at 9:45 PM (IST) at the Paris Olympics 2024.

    Where to watch Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman?

    For those eager to watch Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman at the Paris Olympics 2024, they can watch it on the Sports18 Network in India.

    Where to live stream Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman?

    For online streaming, fans can watch the Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Olympics 2024 semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman live on the JioCinema app and website.

    Earlier in the quarterfinal, as the match progressed into its final moments, Phogat’s perseverance paid off. She made a remarkable comeback by pinning Susaki down, which earned her two crucial points. In the dying seconds of the bout, Phogat added another point to secure a 3-2 victory, showcasing her tactical prowess and determination.

    Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Yui Susaki had clinched the gold medal in the Tokyo Games’ 50kg category, having won all four of her bouts without conceding a single point. Throughout her wrestling career, Susaki has only lost 34 matches out of over 700, underscoring her dominance. She has also secured World Championship gold in 2017 (48kg), 2019, 2022, and 2023. Remarkably, Vinesh Phogat is the first international wrestler to defeat Susaki on the mat. (With PTI Inputs)

  • Bajrang Punia Suspended By NADA For Not Giving Dope Sample, Say Sources Other

    The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia indefinitely, a move that could potentially jeopardize his bid to compete in the Paris Olympics, which is scheduled to be held later this year. According to sources, Punia failed to provide his urine sample for the selection trials at Sonepat on March 10, prompting NADA to issue the order suspending him from participation in any future events.

    “With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia has been immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter,” read an official release from NADA dated April 23.

    Punia, along with a line of other top wrestlers, including Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh; was at the forefront of former BJP MP and president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment. Following his suspension in light of the charges, Punia, who won the country a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, is likely to be barred from participation in the selection trials that are scheduled for later this month. No Indian has yet won an Olympic quota in the 65kg category.

    Sujeet Kalkal will represent India at the World Qualifiers, which are set to get underway in Istanbul on May 9. The suspension notice was addressed to the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) now-defunct ad hoc committee, as opposed to the federation that is recognized by United World Wrestling (UWW).

    Punia, who a few months prior released a video claiming to have expired dope-collecting kits, disregarded the dope control officer’s directive, claiming that NADA officials had not yet addressed his concerns.

    According to the dope-collecting officer’s report, he left even though he was informed that his refusal would result in a warning for breaking anti-doping rules. “Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continuously repeated his statement and immediately left the venue refusing to give a dope sample,” the DCO stated in his report.

    Punia was asked to present a written justification by May 7 for his refusal to submit supporting documentation and a urine sample. “If you do accept the consequences, the case will be resolved without further disciplinary proceedings, subject to the right of appeal. If you disagree, the matter will be referred for adjudication to the anti-doping disciplinary panel,” the letter stated.

  • Did You Know: Vinesh Phogat Was Once Romantically Linked With Neeraj Chopra But Soon The Wrestler Married Long-Time Boyfriend | Other

    Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is in the news because of her fight against the current setup of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The fight between the wrestlers and the federation has been going on for almost a year now. Vinesh returned her prestigious national awards – Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna and Arjuna award – to the government and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vinesh did that to bring attention of the PM to the struggle of the wrestlers. Earlier Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia had announced retirement and returned Padma Shri award respectively after Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected as the chairman of WFI.

    Also Read | Newly-Formed WFI Suspended By Sports Ministry Days After Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s Close Aide Sanjay Singh Elected As President

    Vinesh and Co got very little support from the star Indian athletes. Cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma are yet to speak on the matter. The likes of PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal among others have been mute on the ongoing tussle between wrestlers and WFI. The only elite athlete who has spoken on the wrestlers’ protest is Neeraj Chopra.

    When the Delhi Police had detained the wrestlers from the protest site, Neeraj had tweeted: “I feel sad after watching this. There has to be a better way to deal with this.” Neeraj comes from same state as the protesting wrestlers which is Haryana. He is a close friend of Vinesh. They both were inducted into JSW Sports (sports wing of the JSW group that supports talented Indian athletes) at the same time. But not many people know that at one time, the two were romantically linked to each other.

    , There has to be a better way to deal with this. https://t.co/M2gzso4qjX — Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) May 28, 2023

    During Asian Games 2018, Neeraj and Vinesh used to attend each other’s matches. Mid-Day had reported in 2018 how Neeraj made time to watch the 50kg final between his friend Vinesh and Japanese wrestler Yuki Irie. The report says that Neeraj had very little time to make it the wrestling arena as he had a training session at other place in the evening. “I had a training session just now, so I’m a little late, but I’m glad that I did not miss this final,” Neeraj had told the newspaper.

    Neeraj had blushed, reported the paper, when asked if he knew Vinesh from before the Asiad. To reply to this question, he said we are good friends and just that. Earlier the same year, Vinesh had reportedly attended the men’s javelin final in Gold Coast wherein Neeraj clinched the gold medal.

    Vinesh was pleasantly surprised when she was told by the media that Neeraj was watching her final in Asian Games 2018. On being asked if Neeraj was his ‘lucky charm, Vinesh had said, “Lucky charm jaisa kuch nahi hai. Hum sirf achche dost hai (there’s nothing like a lucky charm or anything, we’re just good friends),” she had said.


    But the rumored relationship story did not last long. As soon as Vinesh landed in Delhi, she got engaged to boyfriend Somvir Rathi. The engagement happened at the airport parking area, said a report. “For the last 4-5 years, it has so been happening that I was losing bouts just before my birthday. This time, after securing the Asiad gold medal, we wanted to celebrate the win in a grand way. Thus, this engagement at the airport,” Vinesh was quoted as saying in Times of India.