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Babita Kumari

Babita Kumari (also known as Babita Phogat) is an Indian freestyle wrestler from Haryana. She is a member of the Phogat wrestling family and has represented India at the Commonwealth Games and other international events. She wrestles primarily in the women's freestyle 51–55 kg weight categories.

Key facts

Full name Babita Kumari Phogat
Nationality Indian
Sport Wrestling (freestyle)
Home state Haryana
Family Daughter of wrestler and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat; sister of Geeta Phogat, Ritu Phogat and Sangita Phogat
Notable medals Commonwealth Games gold (2014), silver (2010), bronze (2018); Commonwealth Wrestling Championships gold

Background

Babita was born in Balali village in the Bhiwani (now Charkhi Dadri) district of Haryana. She was trained from a young age by her father, Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler and Dronacharya Award–winning coach who introduced his daughters to wrestling at a time when the sport was rarely pursued by women in rural Haryana. Her sister Geeta Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Olympic Games, and the family's story was the inspiration for the 2016 Hindi film Dangal.

Career

Commonwealth Games

  • 2010 Delhi: Silver medal in the women's 51 kg freestyle category.
  • 2014 Glasgow: Gold medal in the women's 55 kg category.
  • 2018 Gold Coast: Bronze medal in the women's 53 kg category.

Other international competitions

Babita has won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships and has competed at the World Wrestling Championships and Asian Wrestling Championships. She has also taken part in the Pro Wrestling League in India.

Honours and recognition

  • Arjuna Award – conferred by the Government of India for her achievements in wrestling.
  • Recognised, along with her family, as a leading figure in the rise of women's wrestling in Haryana.

Public life

Beyond sport, Babita has been associated with public causes and political activity. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and has held positions related to sports administration in Haryana. She has also appeared on Indian television, including the reality show Bigg Boss.

Significance

Babita is regarded as one of the prominent Indian women wrestlers of her generation. Together with her sisters, she contributed to changing perceptions about women's participation in combat sports in northern India and helped popularise wrestling among young women in Haryana and beyond.

References