Abhishek Roy reports on women’s wrestling revolution taking place in Indian state of Haryana
The dusty village of Balali in Haryana, hardly barely 10 km from the national capital, was not too long ago up in arms when three sisters from the Phogat family took to wrestling, saying it was against local tradition. Today, the village is mighty proud of the siblings who have brought about something of a social revolution in a state infamous for gender discrimination and honour killings.
In 2010, Balali’s Geeta Phogat gave India the first gold medal from the sport at the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Four years later, her sisters Babita Kumari and Vinesh won gold medals in Glasgow to make the family proud and famous.
In fact, the Glasgow Games could easily be termed a landmark event as six of the 13 medals from wrestling came from women. Silver medallists Lalita, Geetika Jakhar and Sakshi Malik hail from Haryana while bronze medal winner Navjot Kaur is from neighbouring Punjab.
With three gold medals in the family, the Phogat sisters are not only the toast of the nation but are also being hailed by the same villagers who once objected furiously to Mahavir Singh Phogat, himself a former state-level wrestler, taking Geeta and Babita to the ‘akhada’ (wrestling pit).
The youngest of the Phogat sisters, 20-year-old Vinesh, who is Mahavir’s niece, credits the change in the mindset of people in the village to Geeta’s triumph in 2010.
“Though we came from a family of wrestlers, there were objections from the villagers. But thanks to Geeta didi’s success I didn’t face any problems. By the time I took up the sport, Geeta didi had made her mark in Indian sport. So, thanks to her, now the villagers see us as role models for their kids,” Vinesh said.
When reminded of Haryana’s notorious female foeticides, Vinesh cited the example of her family.
“I think my family is a classic example to all those who feel a girl child is a curse. We have proved that nothing is impossible. I sincerely hope that our success reaches out to more and more people and can change their mindset,” said Vinesh, the winner of the freestyle 48kg gold.
Babita, who also won the gold medal in the 55kg section, agreed with her cousin.
“The Commonwealth Games have proved that we are no less than the male wrestlers. Out of 13 medals that Indian won, the female wrestlers won six. This is a big improvement in the last four years,” said 24-year-old Babita, who had won the silver in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
This time in Glasgow, Babita was determined to win the gold.
“The preparations were good and I was determined to win the gold. Women wrestlers are going from strength to strength and the Glasgow Games have given us the confidence that now we are destined for bigger things,” said Babita.
Geeta skipped the Glasgow Games with an injury, but remains a role model for young female wrestlers.
Talking to IANS, Geeta recalled the days when the whole village was against her father introducing her to the sport.
“The whole village was up in arms. But my father (Mahavir) was determined. Slowly once we started winning medals, the mindset changed. I feel it is for us to take the initiative and change the mentality of those who feel that a girl child is a burden on the family,” the 25-year-old Geeta recalled.
Two-time Olympic medal winner Sushil Kumar remains mighty impressed with the progress of women’s wrestling in the country.
“India’s women wrestlers are now a force to reckon with in the world. I feel they will do well in the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. They will be tested against the Chinese, Japanese and the Koreans in the Asian Games and I am confident that they would do well,” Sushil told IANS.
Women’s wrestling national coach Kripa Shankar Patel remains hopeful of a good showing by the girls in the Sep 19-Oct 4 Asian Games in the South Korean city of Incheon.
“The girls haven’t taken a break and they are already preparing for the Asian Games. We expect a good outing because the girls are high on confidence. But it will be tough since China, Japan and South Korea pose the real challenge,” he said.