Days After 'Retired' Wrestler Joined Politics, Uncle Mahavir Phogat Says 'Vinesh Should Have Focused On...'

Mahavir Phogat, uncle and former coach of India's star Olympian Vinesh Phogat, expressed his disapproval after Vinesh announced retirement from the sport and joined politics.

India's star wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, joined the country's main opposition party, Congress, just weeks after announcing her retirement from the sport following a disappointing Paris Olympics 2024 campaign, where she was disqualified from featuring in the final bout after being found overweight. She is set to contest the upcoming Haryana elections. Now, a few days after the onset of her political journey, Mahavir Phogat, former wrestling coach and uncle Vinesh Phogat expressed his discontent with Vinesh’s decision of retiring from the sport and joining politics.

Mahavir Phogat, on September 9 (Monday), voiced his disapproval regarding Vinesh’s decision to join politics and contest the elections next month.

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'She should have focused on achieving her Olympic goal': Mahavir Phogat

In an interview with India Today, he said he would have preferred her to focus on winning a gold medal at the LA Olympics 2028. 

"I wanted Vinesh to participate in one more Olympics and win a gold medal. She should have focused on achieving her Olympic goal. I am against her joining politics," India Today quoted Mahavir as saying.

Mahavir stated that while young people will make their own choices, his role was to nurture them. He expressed disappointment that Vinesh, at her age, could have participated in another Olympics and that he had hoped she would win a gold medal.

"Young children will take their own decisions. That depends on them. My duty was to nurture and bring them up. At this age, Vinesh could have participated in one more Olympics. I wanted her to win a gold medal this time," he said.

The Congress has nominated Vinesh Phogat to contest from the Julana Assembly seat in the Haryana polls scheduled for October 5. Mahavir Phogat expressed disappointment, stating that all hopes are lost when an athlete enters politics. It is worth noting that his daughter, Babita Phogat, joined the BJP in 2019.