Street fighter
THE WEEK India|August 04, 2024
Vinesh Phogat’s path to Paris has been a rollercoaster ride; a medal there would be the fairytale ending
ANIRUDH MADHAVAN
Street fighter

On her road to Paris, Vinesh Phogat had an unlikely sparring partner—the Delhi Police. There she was, a two-time World Championship medallist protesting on the road, skin touching asphalt, as she took on the might of former Wrestling Federation of India president Brijphushan Sharan Singh. "They did such badtameeri (ill-mannered acts) that they tore our clothes," she told ESPN. "They knew we were wrestlers and attacked us in covert ways. They twisted our legs so that we would get injured. One officer twisted Sangeeta's [her cousin and wrestler| knee and I had to intervene and say she needs to wrestle, stop doing that. They would scratch us with their nails in a manner that it wouldn't be seen. They pulled our hair in the guise of pulling us.

This story is from the August 04, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

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This story is from the August 04, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

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