Geeta Phogat
Discover the inspiring journey of Geeta Phogat — India’s first female Commonwealth Games wrestling gold medallist. Learn about her early life, major achievements, struggles, role in Dangal, and her influence on women’s sports in India.
Introduction
Geeta Kumari Phogat (born 15 December 1988) is an Indian freestyle wrestler who became a trailblazer in women’s wrestling in India. She is best known for winning India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in women’s wrestling (2010) and for being the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for the Olympics (2012).
Her life story, along with that of her sisters and her coach-father, was dramatized in the popular Bollywood film Dangal, which brought national visibility to her struggles and triumphs.
Early Life & Family
Geeta Phogat was born in Balali village, Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana, India. Mahavir Singh Phogat, was himself a wrestler and later became her coach.
She grew up in a rural setting with limited resources. In a culture where wrestling was traditionally seen as a male domain, her pursuit of the sport was against social expectations.
Geeta is part of a large wrestling family. Her sisters Babita, Ritu, and Sangeeta are also wrestlers, and her cousin Vinesh Phogat is an elite wrestler as well.
Wrestling Career & Major Achievements
Early International Success
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In 2009, at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship (Jalandhar), Geeta won a gold medal in her division.
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At the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, she made history by winning the gold medal in the 55 kg women’s freestyle category — India’s first gold in women’s wrestling at the Commonwealth Games.
Olympics & World Championships
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In 2012, Geeta Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Olympics (London 2012) in the 55 kg category.
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At the 2012 World Wrestling Championships (Canada), she won a bronze medal.
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In the 2012 Asian Wrestling Championships, she won a bronze medal in the 55 kg division.
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In 2015, she again secured bronze at the Asian Championships in the 58 kg category.
Over her career, Geeta has competed in world-class tournaments, consistently placing among medal contenders.
Personal Life
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Geeta married fellow wrestler Pawan Kumar (also known as Pawan Saroha) on 20 November 2016.
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The couple welcomed their son Arjun on 24 December 2019.
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Aside from her wrestling career, she has participated in television reality shows such as Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 and Pati Patni Aur Panga.
Challenges & Struggles
Geeta’s path was far from smooth. She trained under rigorous conditions, often with limited facilities in her village.
She faced the challenge of balancing expectations, injuries, and competition at elite levels. Qualifying for and competing at the Olympics was a major hurdle.
Cultural Impact: Dangal & Inspiration
The film Dangal (2016) dramatizes the real-life story of Mahavir Phogat and his daughters, including Geeta. The movie, starring Aamir Khan, helped bring national and international attention to women’s wrestling in India.
Because of Geeta and her family’s story, many girls in India were inspired to take up wrestling and other sports that had been traditionally male-dominated.
Legacy & Influence
Geeta Phogat is seen as a pioneer who changed perceptions about women in sports in India. Her achievements opened doors, proving that women from rural India could compete internationally on merit.
Her legacy also lives in her younger sisters and cousins who have followed and built upon her path in wrestling.