a remarkable debut, Olympian Vinesh Phogat has claimed victory from the Julana assembly seat in Haryana, decisively defeating BJP's Captain Yogesh Bairagi, a former Army officer, and former professional wrestler Kavita Dalal from the Aam Aadmi Party. Phogat's victory margin exceeded 6,000 votes, signaling a powerful entry into the political arena.

While the ruling BJP is poised for a third consecutive term, leading on 50 seats compared to Congress's 35, Phogat's win stands out amidst the party's overall performance, defying the exit polls that predicted a Congress resurgence.

Phogat, who faced a heart-wrenching disqualification at the Olympics earlier this year, joined the Congress on September 6, swiftly making her mark on the party’s candidate list. "I am starting a new innings. I want to ensure that sportspersons don’t endure the struggles we faced," she declared, setting an ambitious tone for her political career.

Last year, Phogat emerged as a prominent voice during a long-standing protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP, showcasing her commitment to the wrestling community. Reflecting on her political journey, she expressed gratitude towards Congress, stating, "It is only in tough times that you discover who truly stands with you. When we faced adversity, every party except the BJP supported us and empathized with our pain."

Regarded as one of India's finest wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat boasts an illustrious legacy. A three-time Olympian, she has secured three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, two bronze medals at the World Championships, and gold at both the Asian Games and Asian Championships. Her journey was marked by a devastating disqualification at the Paris 2024 Olympics, occurring just before her gold medal match after a weigh-in failure.

Born into a renowned wrestling family on August 25, 1994, Vinesh follows in the footsteps of her cousins Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, inspired by her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat, who introduced her to the sport at an early age. Despite Geeta's growing recognition, Vinesh faced societal obstacles, contending with villagers who deemed wrestling a male-dominated sport, insisting women should remain confined to traditional roles. At just nine years old, Vinesh also endured the tragic loss of her father.