'Vinesh Phogat could have joined politics post 2028 Olympics': Uncle Mahavir 'saddened' by wrestler's decision

Mahavir Phogat disappointed with Vinesh joining politics

Wrestling legend and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat has expressed disappointment over his niece Vinesh Phogat's decision to join the Congress party. Mahavir Phogat believes she could have delayed this move until after the 2028 Olympics, suggesting that her focus should have remained on winning a gold medal for India. Vinesh, who faced disqualification at the Paris Olympics in 2024 for being overweight by just 100 grams, has now shifted from wrestling to politics and is set to contest the Haryana Assembly elections from Julana next month. While he acknowledges her accomplishments in wrestling, Mahavir feels that the country had high hopes for her to win an Olympic gold medal and that her transition to politics has come too soon.

"She did very well in the Paris Olympics but got disqualified in the final. It is my personal opinion that she should participate in the 2028 Olympics. A gold medal is my dream; she did not achieve it, and the people of India gave her immense love and had expected a gold from her. People were disheartened. The decision she has taken to join politics saddens me. She could have made this decision after the 2028 Olympics; it would have been better," Mahavir Phogat told ANI.

The Dronacharya awardee mentioned that there were no prior discussions or plans regarding her entry into politics. He also suggested that Vinesh and fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, who has also joined the Congress, initially had no intentions of contesting elections. "There was no such planning earlier. Neither Bajrang nor she had this idea. I don't know how Congress managed it, but she had no intentions earlier to contest elections," he added.

Mahavir Phogat also commented on his daughter Babita Phogat not receiving a BJP ticket for the upcoming elections. "Not everyone gets a ticket. The decision made by the party has been taken with due deliberation. What the party decides should be accepted," he said.

Vinesh recently announced her retirement from wrestling before joining the Congress. The Olympian expressed that there is nothing greater than being a winner in the eyes of the people.

Elections to the 90-member Haryana assembly will be held on October 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged victorious with 40 seats, while the Congress won 30.

(With Agency Inputs)