Vinesh Phogat Family Tree: The Story Behind India's Wrestling Heartbreak

Vinesh Phogat, born 25 August 1994 in Balali, Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, India, is an Indian wrestler and politician — 3-time Olympian; Commonwealth Games 3 gold (2014, 18, 22); Asian Games gold 2018; famously disqualified 100 grams over weight at Paris 2024 Olympic final (would have been India's first Olympic wrestling gold); elected Congress MLA Julana (Haryana) October 2024.

The Family's Roots: The Phogat Wrestling Dynasty

Vinesh is niece of Mahavir Singh Phogat (subject of Dangal film).

Her Parents

Father: Rajpal Phogat — died of cancer when Vinesh was 9.

Mother: Premlata Phogat — Balali homemaker; also battled cancer.

Her Uncle

Mahavir Singh Phogat — Vinesh's uncle; former wrestler; subject of Dangal (2016 film starring Aamir Khan); coached Vinesh and cousins.

Her Cousins (all wrestlers)

Geeta Phogat, b. 1988 — Commonwealth Games gold 2010.

Babita Phogat, b. 1989 — Commonwealth Games gold 2014.

Ritu Phogat, b. 1994 — Commonwealth Games gold 2016; MMA.

Sangeeta Phogat, b. 1999 — wrestler; married Bajrang Punia.

Her Husband: Somvir Rathee

Somvir Rathee — Indian wrestler; senior at Chhotu Ram Stadium, Rohtak. Married Vinesh on 13 December 2018.

The Phogat Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Rajpal Phogat (d. c. 2003).

Mother: Premlata Phogat.

Uncle: Mahavir Singh Phogat — coach; Dangal film.

Cousins: Geeta, Babita, Ritu, Sangeeta Phogat — all wrestlers.

Husband: Somvir Rathee (m. 13 December 2018) — wrestler.

Vinesh Phogat:

  • Born 25 August 1994, Balali
  • Trained by uncle Mahavir Singh from childhood
  • India women's wrestling debut: 2013
  • Commonwealth Games gold: 2014 Glasgow, 2018 Gold Coast, 2022 Birmingham
  • Asian Games gold: 2018 Jakarta (first Indian woman)
  • World Championship medals: 2 bronze (2019, 2022)
  • Padma Shri (2020), Arjuna Award (2016), Khel Ratna (2020)
  • Rio 2016 Olympics: injury 1st round
  • Tokyo 2020 Olympics: R16
  • Paris 2024 Olympics: reached final at 50kg — disqualified 100g over weight on morning of final — silver medal denied
  • Congress MLA Julana (Haryana): elected 8 October 2024

What the Phogat Family Story Teaches Us

A father lost to cancer at 9. A mother who battled cancer. An uncle who was the Dangal trainer. 4 wrestler cousins including Commonwealth Games gold medallists. A wife of a Rohtak wrestler. A career that combined 3 Commonwealth Games golds, an Asian Games gold, and the heartbreak of a 100-gram Olympic disqualification.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Vinesh story carries the same lesson. Some families produce 5 women wrestlers from one household.

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