Mahavir Singh Phogat

Mahavir Singh Phogat is an Indian amateur wrestler, senior Olympics coach and politician.[1][2] He is the trainer and father of Phogat sisters.[3] The Hindi biographical film Dangal is loosely based on his life.

Mahavir Singh Phogat
Phogat in 2016
Personal information
NationalityIndian
BornHaryana (erstwhile East Punjab)
Spouse(s)Daya Kaur
Sport
CountryIndia
SportWrestling
Now coachingGeeta Phogat, Babita Kumari, Ritu Phogat, Vinesh Phogat, Priyanka Phogat

Phogat was awarded the Dronacharya Award by the Government of India in 2016.[4][5] He is the father and coach of Geeta Phogat,[6][7] 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,[8] and won the gold medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games.[9] Phogat's niece, Vinesh Phogat, is also a Commonwealth Games gold medalist and won gold medal at Asian games 2018.[10][11]

Personal life

Phogat was born in Bhiwani district of Haryana.[6][12] He is married to Daya Shobha Kaur and has four daughters, Geeta, Babita, Ritu, and Sangita respectively. He looks after his nieces Vinesh and Priyanka, children of his brother who was killed in a land dispute. All the 6 Phogats are trained in wrestling by Mahavir. While Geeta, Babita and Vinesh are international players, Ritu has won a gold medal at the national championship and Priyanka and Sangeeta have won medals in age-level international championships. He joined Bharatiya Janata Party in August 2019.

Biographical film
Main article: Dangal (film)

2016 Indian biographical film Dangal is based on Singh's life and his children's 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.[13][14][15][16]

Book
Main article: Akhada: The Authorized Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat

Akhada is the authorised biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler and a coach. The book is penned by sports journalist Sourabh Duggal and was released on 21 December 2016 at the Chandigarh Press Club.[17] It traces Mahavir Phogat's journey with his daughters and nieces hailing from a small village in Haryana to winning the medals for the country.[18]

References
  1. "Mahavir Singh Phogat". Zee News.
  2. "Mahavir Singh Phogat : Read Mahavir Singh Phogat Latest News, Photos, Videos Online on Midday".
  3. Meet Mahavir Singh Phogat the fascinating wrestler who inspired, Publication: Huffington Post newsportal; Published on: 21 October 2016; Accessed on: 6 March 2017
  4. "press release".
  5. "Film Dangal is wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat's biography - Aamir plays Mahavir".
  6. "The hero behind 'Dangal' | Chandigarh News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  7. "Wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat overlooked for Dronacharya Award". mid-day. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  8. "Babita clinches bronze in World Championships". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  9. "JSW Sports Excellence Program Wrestling". www.jsw.in. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  10. Gupta, Gargi (10 August 2014). "Meet the medal winning Phogat sisters". DNA India. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  11. "But hey, this is family...". 31 July 2010. Times of India, retrieved 11 October 2013.
  12. Geeta Phogat's Real Life Journey From Akhada To CWG Gold Is More Inspiring Than Dangal The Movie, India Times.
  13. "Aamir Khan to play Mahavir Phogat in Dangal, meets his wrestler daughters Geeta and Babita". 30 July 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  14. "This is how Aamir is preparing for his role in Dangal". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  15. "Aamir Khan now on a new diet for 'Dangal'".
  16. "Mahavir Singh Phogat Who Inspired A* amir Khan for 'Dangal".
  17. "Man who inspired 'Dangal' releases his biography 'Akhada' in Chandigarh". 16 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  18. "Akhada: The Authorised Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat", written by Saurabh Duggal
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