It was a near-perfect return to competitors for Vinesh Phogat after being away from wrestling for a year-and-a-half due to being concerned in protests and a knee damage. The 29-year-old making a comeback after a knee surgical procedure in August didn’t concede a single level within the 55kg rounds, displayed robust protection in opposition to Haryana’s Tamanna within the quarterfinal and gained by fall in opposition to Madhya Pradesh’s Jyoti within the remaining in simply two minutes.
This may be a non-Olympic class, and he or she must face more durable opponents if she ultimately qualifies for the Olympics within the 53kg class, however Sunday was about spending time on the mat and going by way of rounds of a contest. Vinesh, competing for RSPB, mentioned she put in 50 % effort as a result of she was being cautious.
“I’m returning after an operation so there was slightly concern. It was like a check for me. I’m feeling good. I’m heading in the right direction. That is an Olympic yr, hopefully I’ll keep match and wholesome and provides my finest for my nation. Wrestling ko phir se jee rahe hai. (I’m having fun with wrestling once more),” Vinesh mentioned.
After the 55kg medal ceremony, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh, two of the distinguished wrestlers within the protest in opposition to former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who’s going through costs of sexual harassment, posed collectively for images. Their beaming smiles mentioned how a lot they valued the second.
After successful gold within the 59kg remaining, one of many first individuals Anshu Malik went as much as was Vinesh.
Vinesh later spoke in regards to the pleasure that comes with seeing wrestlers win medals after a tough part for the game.
“Many senior athletes have been injured. They weren’t on observe. They’re coming again on observe now. Ravi (Dahiya) additionally competed (France Grand Prix) and has achieved effectively. I’ve gained right here, Anshu has gained right here. We wish wrestlers to stroll with us shoulder-to-shoulder. The larger crew we’ve got within the Olympics, the higher it’s,” Vinesh mentioned.
क्या लिखूं कुछ समझ नहीं आ रहा । आप लोग ही बता दीजिए। congratulations @Phogat_Vinesh 🥇🎉 pic.twitter.com/3EiIUGaV4T
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) February 4, 2024
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After the surgical procedure in August, Vinesh returned to the mat in December, in accordance with former Greco Roman wrestler Somvir Rathee, her husband. The rehabilitation part, when she additionally had one eye on the controversial Wrestling Federation of India elections, was a tough interval. She additionally returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna award in protest after Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Brij Bhushan, was elected WFI president. The nationals gave her a chance to return to what she loves doing although she was a contact apprehensive of how it could pan out as a result of she had a short while window to coach. The 53kg Olympic weight class is the one she must compete in to have an opportunity to make it to Paris.
“I’ve completed the competitors with a win at the beginning of the yr which is a optimistic signal. Now I’ll enhance my coaching. I feel within the subsequent competitors, I’ll play extra freely. The doubts are over and we’ll simply need to see how the physique reacts after this competitors,” Vinesh added.
A private coach can also be set to affix her help workers. “My coach is coming. Let’s see what planning will probably be achieved. Help workers is with me. There are such a lot of individuals working behind the scenes.”
Wrestlers on the ongoing nationals have been higher off than once they had participated in earlier editions, the 2 time world championship medalist mentioned.
“That is the primary senior nationals the place I’m feeling so glad after competing. Earlier junior wrestlers wouldn’t get entry to water, meals. As a senior athlete, we’d nonetheless handle however I felt unhealthy seeing the plight of juniors earlier. However this time I’m glad to see that everybody is getting good meals, good place to remain. Wrestlers are competing with none strain. Kisi ka dabdaba nahi hai yahan pe. (Nobody is unfairly dominating right here).”