Babita Phogat Biography: Babita Phogat is a name that fills Indians with pride. Born on November 20, 1989, in Balali, a small village in Haryana, and currently 34 years old, Babita has become a symbol of determination and success in wrestling.
Family
Babita’s love for wrestling came from her family. Her father, Mahavir Singh Phogat, was a former wrestler and a recipient of the Dronacharya Award, India’s highest honor for sports coaching. He not only coached Babita but also her sisters- Geeta, Ritu, and Sangeeta, along with their cousins Priyanka and Vinesh, who have made their mark in Indian wrestling.
Babita Phogat’s elder sister, Geeta Phogat, was the first Indian female wrestler to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, and she set the stage for Babita to shine.
Education and Training
Babita’s wrestling education began at home, where her father coached her from a young age. Later, she trained at the National Sports Academy in Patiala, where she received formal training. It was here that Babita’s natural talent was polished, and she became one of the top wrestlers in the country.
However, her journey wasn’t easy. Along with physical training, Babita had to deal with the societal pressures that came with being a female wrestler in a male-dominated sport.
Career in Wrestling
After winning the silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Babita Phogat continued to rise through the ranks of international wrestling. She won a bronze medal at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships in Canada and another bronze at the 2013 Asian Wrestling Championships in Delhi.
Babita’s biggest achievement came at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She won the gold medal in the 55 kg category, a moment that made her a national icon. This victory wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a moment of pride for the entire country, especially for girls who dream of a career in sports.
In 2016, Babita qualified for the Rio Olympics, marking another major milestone in her career. Though she didn’t win a medal, just qualifying for the Olympics was a huge achievement.
Entry into Politics
After an impressive wrestling career, Babita transitioned into politics in 2019 by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Her journey from the wrestling mat to the political arena reflects her continued commitment to making a difference in society.
Babita Phogat Biography: Controversies
Like many public figures, Babita Phogat has been involved in a few controversies. One notable issue was her disagreement with her cousin, Vinesh Phogat after Vinesh was disqualified from the Paris Olympics for being overweight. Babita publicly expressed her disappointment, criticizing Vinesh for not showing enough gratitude to their uncle and coach, Mahavir Phogat.
Babita was also part of the Oversight Committee that investigated sexual harassment allegations against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Babita opposed the final report submitted by the panel, saying the investigation didn’t sit right with her conscience.
In October 2024, renowned wrestler Sakshi Malik accused Babita Phogat of inciting the wrestlers’ protest against Brij Bhushan Singh, the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), with the intention of seizing his position as WFI president.
Husband and Children
In June 2019, Babita Phogat got engaged to wrestler Vivek Suhag, and the couple got married on December 1, 2019, in their village in Haryana. It was a traditional ceremony, attended by family and close friends. On January 11, 2021, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Yuvraj Suhag.
The Movie “Dangal”
Babita’s life and the story of the Phogat family were portrayed in the 2016 Bollywood blockbuster Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Aamir Khan. The movie told the inspiring story of Mahavir Phogat and his daughters, Geeta and Babita, as they rose to become wrestling champions. In the film, Babita was played by actress Sanya Malhotra, while Suhani Bhatnagar portrayed her younger version.
The movie was a massive hit and introduced millions of people to Babita’s journey, further cementing her status as a national icon.
Conclusion
Babita Phogat’s journey goes beyond her wrestling achievements, as she continues to inspire and advocate for women’s participation in sports. Her life proves that no dream is too big, no barrier too strong, and no stereotype is unbreakable.
Babita Phogat Biography will be updated here as new details emerge.
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