Geeta Phogat Anticipates More Olympic Medals for Indian Wrestlers in 2028

Geeta Phogat's Optimism for Indian Wrestling

In New Delhi, Geeta Phogat expressed her belief that the Indian wrestling team is poised to secure additional medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, following their impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships.

During the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle with Women' event, she stated, "Given the progress our athletes are making, I am confident we will achieve more success in wrestling at the upcoming Olympics," while acknowledging the gold medals earned by Sujeet Kalkal in the men's 65kg and Abhimanyou Mandwal in the men's 70kg categories at the recent championships.

Phogat also extended her congratulations to the entire Indian wrestling team for their achievements at the Asian Championships, remarking, "I want to commend the Indian contingent for their remarkable performance at the Asian Wrestling Championships."

India concluded its campaign at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on April 12, securing a total of 17 medals, which included two gold, six silver, and nine bronze.

In addition to the gold medals won by Lalit Sehrawat and Nitesh Siwach, Aman Sehrawat (men's 61kg), Mukul Dahiya (men's 86kg), and Meenakshi Goyat (women's 53kg) also finished as runners-up in their respective categories.

Phogat praised initiatives like the Fit India Movement and Khelo India, emphasizing that events such as 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' enhance public awareness of fitness, promote participation across cities, and convey a positive message, particularly for women.

"The initiatives like 'Fit India' and 'Khelo India', initiated by PM Narendra Modi, have significantly raised fitness awareness among the populace. Events held every Sunday in major cities encourage widespread participation, which is especially beneficial for women," she noted.

Arjuna awardee and professional boxer Saweety Boora echoed these sentiments, highlighting the increasing participation of women in the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' event and the growing enthusiasm for fitness. She pointed out that changing societal attitudes, along with social media and such initiatives, are inspiring women to prioritize their health and challenge traditional norms.

"It was wonderful to witness so many women participating. When I first attended the Fit India Cycling event, the enthusiasm was not as evident. Now, the turnout is impressive, especially among women. It's heartening to see this shift in attitude towards fitness. In the past, women faced restrictions, but now, with the influence of social media and such programs, they are motivated to embrace fitness. Society's mindset is evolving," Boora remarked.

Regarding her personal goals, Boora stated that her primary focus is on preparing for the LA Olympics, expressing her aspiration to win a gold medal for India, noting that while she has achieved other accolades, an Olympic medal remains elusive.

"My main preparations are directed towards the Olympics. I aim to secure a gold medal for my country. Although I have won various medals, the Olympic medal is still pending," Boora shared.

Mayank Srivastav, Deputy Director General at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), discussed the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative, explaining that the Fit India Movement, launched in 2019, aims to foster mass participation in fitness activities. He highlighted that the initiative was organized at approximately 1,000 locations nationwide, with significant involvement from women, promoting the idea that fitness is essential, enjoyable, and achievable through simple activities like yoga, Zumba, and skipping.

"Fit India is fundamentally a movement initiated by the Prime Minister. Since 2019, we have aimed to engage more individuals in this initiative. The 'Sundays on Cycle with women' event took place at over 1,000 locations across the country, encouraging women to prioritize their fitness. If they are healthy, the entire family benefits. We also want to convey that fitness can be enjoyable, not a chore. Activities like Zumba, skipping, and yoga can contribute to a healthy lifestyle," he explained.

For those unfamiliar, Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in collaboration with various organizations, including the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Indian Rope Skipping Federation, Yogasana Bharat, Raahgiri Foundation, MY Bikes, and MY Bharat.

The cycling initiative is conducted simultaneously across all States and Union Territories, including SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs).

Launched in December 2024 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has evolved into a significant public movement, with over 28 lakh citizens participating across more than 2.63 lakh locations nationwide since its inception.