Vinesh Phogat's Determination Shines Despite Setback in Semifinal

Vinesh Phogat, after a challenging semifinal loss to Meenakshi, vows to return to the wrestling mat, showcasing her unwavering determination. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including a lengthy hiatus and unfair trials, Vinesh remains proud of her performance. She reflects on her journey as a mother and athlete, expressing hope that her son will be proud of her efforts. This article delves into her emotional experience and the challenges she overcame in pursuit of her dreams.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2026, 02:03 IST

Vinesh Phogat's Resilience After Semifinal Loss

“I will step back onto the mat,” declared Vinesh Phogat shortly after her semifinal defeat against Meenakshi, which dashed her hopes of qualifying for the Asian Games.

The competitive spirit within her remains unyielding, fueled by an intense desire to return to wrestling. Prior to Saturday, Vinesh faced challenges with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), and now she was starting from square one. Initially, there were attempts to place her in the 50kg category, but she ultimately competed in her preferred 53kg, experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as a prominent Olympian and a mother to a 10-month-old.

In her first match, Vinesh, returning to competitive wrestling after a 16-month hiatus, decisively defeated her opening opponent, Jyoti, with a score of 7-1. However, in her subsequent bout against Nishu, she found herself trailing 5-0 after the first period. Following a break, Vinesh executed a four-point throw, showcasing her experience to narrowly win 6-5.

During the semifinal against Meenakshi, Vinesh appeared to struggle with stamina. Meenakshi, a silver medalist from the Asian Wrestling Championships, dominated the match early on. After conceding a point for passivity, Vinesh managed to equalize at 1-1 by pushing her opponent out of bounds. However, Meenakshi quickly regained control, scoring double points to lead 3-1. Although Vinesh responded with a two-point takedown, Meenakshi extended her lead to 6-3. In the final moments, Vinesh’s husband, Somvir Rathee, challenged a referee's decision, which was ultimately rejected, resulting in a 6-4 loss for Vinesh.

After the match, Vinesh expressed pride in her performance despite the obstacles she faced during the trials. She remarked that the competition was not equitable from the outset.

“I believe I performed to the best of my abilities. I gave it my all. Every ounce of energy was spent on that mat. I need to train harder, but I take comfort in knowing that when my son grows up and learns that his mother was competing while he was just 10 months old, he will be proud of me,” Vinesh shared.

“I don’t need to comment on whether this was a fair trial. The entire nation is aware of the situation; they have witnessed the ongoing issues since the protests began. Whether I vocalize it or not, it won’t change anything. We had to battle for every single point, and the system was against me. Yet, I can proudly say that I stood my ground and will continue to fight,” she concluded.