My father Mahavir Phogat worked hard for Vinesh, she never thanked him: Babita

Babita Phogat revealed how her father, Mahavir, helped Vinesh overcome personal loss and become one of India's most decorated wrestlers. Babita said it has been disappointing to see Vinesh not acknowledging coach Mahavir's contributions.

In Short

• Babita complained about Vinesh's treatment towards Mahavir Phogat
• Babita Phogat revealed discontent over Vinesh’s shift into politics
• Vinesh’s wrestling career ended in disqualification before the gold match

Babita Phogat, cousin of former Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, expressed her disappointment over Vinesh's perceived lack of gratitude, particularly regarding her coach and uncle, Mahavir Phogat. Following the controversy surrounding the Paris Olympics, Babita claimed that Vinesh failed to acknowledge Mahavir’s significant contributions to her career. Vinesh was disqualified from the Paris Olympics just before the gold medal match due to being 100 grams overweight, a situation that overshadowed her earlier achievements.

Vinesh's stellar run at the Paris Olympics ended on a sour note after the disqualification, which prompted her retirement from wrestling and a subsequent shift into politics, joining the Indian National Congress. The disqualification, despite her successful Olympic journey, marked a dramatic turn in her career.

Speaking on Sushant Sinha's podcast, Babita, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist from 2014, revealed her frustration regarding Vinesh’s lack of appreciation for Mahavir Phogat. After the passing of Vinesh's father, Mahavir took on the role of her coach, playing a crucial part in her development as a wrestler.

"You must have seen when Manu Bhaker returned home with her Olympic medal, her coach was by her side. Similarly, Aman Sehrawat came back with his medal and had his coach with him. But when Vinesh returned, Dipender Hooda was there with her. It's better for people to just give him (Dipender) the Dronacharya award. I believe that if my father had been standing beside her at the airport, there wouldn’t have been so much politics surrounding this situation," Babita said.

'MAHAVIR CRIED WHEN VINESH WAS DISQUALIFIED'

Babita said she saw her father Mahavir crying when Vinesh was disqualified from the Olympic final earlier in the year.

"I have seen my father cry just three times in my life. First, when my sisters and I got married, Second, when my uncle died and third, when Vinesh got disqualified from the Olympics," she said.

"These things need to be understood. I have seen how my father never allowed Vinesh to feel the absence of her father. When my uncle passed away, Vinesh, along with her brother and sister, left wrestling. My father went to their home, confronted their mother, and brought them back to the sport. Even when they didn't reach the training ground at 4 a.m., he would go to their house and bring them. When someone puts in so much hard work into training and never receives a thank you, it is understandably emotional for any coach," Babita added.

Vinesh was also one of the key figures in the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India President, Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexual misconduct. Her involvement in the protests and her increasing role in Indian politics have kept her in the national spotlight.

Babita, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, highlighted how Vinesh’s entry into politics has changed her, suggesting a growing distance between the sisters since Vinesh’s political debut. The clash between the two sisters adds another layer to the already complex narrative surrounding the Phogat family, a household synonymous with Indian wrestling success.