Mahavir Singh Phogat

Mahavir Singh Phogat kalsi
Personal information
Nationality India Indian
Born Balali, Bhiwani Haryana
Residence Haryana
Sport
Country India
Sport Wrestling
Event(s) Freestyle wrestling

Mahavir Singh Phogat is an Indian amateur wrestler and senior Olympics coach.[1][2] Phogat was awarded the Dronacharya Award by the Government of India.[3][4] He is the father and coach of Geeta Phogat,[5][6] who won India's first gold medal in women's wrestling in the 55 kg freestyle category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and the first Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the Olympics, and Babita Kumari, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships,[7] and won the gold medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games.[8] Phogat's niece, Vinesh Phogat, is also Commonwealth Games gold medalist.[9][10]

Early life

Phogat was born into a Hindu Jat family in Bhiwani district, Haryana.[5] He is married to Daya Kaur and has 4 daughters, Geeta, Babita, Ritu and Sangita. He looks after his nieces Vinesh and Priyanka, daughters of his brother who was killed in a dispute. All the 6 Phogat girls are trained in wrestling by Mahavir. While Geeta, Babita and Vinesh are international players, Ritu has won gold medal at national championship and Priyanka and Sangita have won medals in age-level international championships.

Popular culture

Indian biographical film Dangal is based on Singh's life and his daughters' journey towards success. Aamir Khan plays the role of Mahavir Singh Phogat while Fatima Sana Shaikh plays the role of Geeta Phogat and Sanya Malhotra plays the role of Babita.[11][12][13][14]

References

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