Stubborn by her own admission, trailblazing Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat doesn’t mind being called arrogant for she says the attitude comes in handy to intimidate rivals on the mat.
“I am very stubborn. If I feel something is right, even if that is wrong, I will be very stubborn about that and I make sure people agree with me even if I am wrong sometimes,” she laughed.
But would she call it a virtue, to be steadfast even if wrong? “If someone explains with love and proves that my thought process is wrong and I also start to realise that, then I concede and take a step back,” she said.
And what about the perception of being arrogant for being so headstrong? “Yes people say that (arrogant) but I know what’s inside me. And if it helps me on the mat, I don’t bother,” she said.
“People say it’s over-confidence but for me it’s belief. I don’t get intimidated and your opponent also notices the body language. Some people work on it but for me it’s God gift,” she added.
Vinesh, the first Indian athlete ever to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Award, also insisted that Indian wrestlers have great self-belief.
Strong contenders
“I feel India has four or five strong contenders, who can beat any wrestler in the world. I won’t take names but we can win two or three Olympic medals,” she asserted.
“We have started becoming technically smart while earlier we just played a power game, it’s giving results.”
The significance of getting a nomination for the prestigious Laureus awards has still not dawned on the Haryana grappler.
“Honestly I still don’t know what this nomination is about. I just know that my name has been put for voting. I had not even heard of Laureus. And if no Indian athlete has been nominated before, I can only be proud of it.
“...it’s definitely huge for wrestling in India because it is still struggling for recognition,” said Vinesh.
The winner of multiple international medals says her comeback from a career-threatening injury, sometimes has even her amazed. “I have seen athletes struggling so badly after suffering injuries. Sometimes I am shocked to see what and how I have achieved this success. It’s nothing but God’s grace.”
Vinesh, who married fellow grappler Somvir Rathee, says he has played a huge role in her success.
“He is one person who has contributed to my success more than my family.
“The way he motivated me, no one did. I believe more in him than myself. He has videos of all my opponents in his phone. He knows them all, who attacks better, whose defence is solid.
“He devises strategies for me. He is more focussed on me than on himself. He has lot of belief in me,” she explained.