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From Protests to Podiums: The Enduring Legacy of Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat is not defined by her performance at the Olympics, instead, she has sparked a social movement that…

Vinesh Phogat is not defined by her performance at the Olympics, instead, she has sparked a social movement that cannot be reversed. While she has inspired a nation with her success in international wrestling, Vinesh Phogat’s fight for justice is what illustrates her legacy.

Vinesh Phogat – International Wrestling

The Phogat sisters are famed in India for their wrestling success. Between them, they’ve collected 10 gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, plus a host of medals in the Asian Games and World Championships. Among them, they even have a top-ranked MMA fighter; Ritu Phogat. Also, a blockbuster movie was made in their honor that broke box office records. However, despite their incredible success, the sisters have yet to capture a medal in the Olympics.

Olympic Wrestling

Leading into the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Vinesh Phogat was a favorite to capture a medal representing India. Having won top spots in the Asian and Commonwealth Games, she was a clear pick to take home some gear on the podium.

Shockingly, early in the tournament she defeated Yui Susaki; this was an incredible feat. Japan’s Susaki captured Olympic gold in 2020 and did not concede a single point that entire year. In fact, Susaki had remained unbeaten in a consecutive 24 international tournaments and sported a spotless 82-0 record.

Her first loss was delivered by Vinesh, who celebrated with tears in her eyes. It was a moment that changed the landscape of wrestling. Suddenly, the clear favorite had lost and a new hope had emerged. The Japanese-born athlete could not believe that this had happened, she said, “I didn’t know if it was real or not.”

With the nation of India behind her, Vinesh Phogat began a campaign for gold. She then won two more matches to qualify for the finals. Even the Indian Prime Minister Modi got behind Vinesh. In an interview, the national leader said, “Vinesh became the first Indian woman to reach the finals in wrestling, which is a matter of great pride for all of us.

But, her loss would not come on the mat instead it came on the scales. Despite working out all night, sweating, skipping, cutting her hair, and even donating blood, Vinesh was unable to make the weight limit. Thus, she was disqualified. India attempted to appeal this decision but was rejected. The Indian-born wrestler had enough, she declared her retirement from the sport, “My courage is broken, I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling, 2001-2024.”

No medal and a heartbreaking end for her and the Phogat family. However, if Vinesh Phogat never wrestles again a day in her life, her legacy is secure because she fought for something greater off the mats. Justice.

Vinesh Phogat – Protests and Sexual Assault

Women around the world have continuously had to suffer sexual assault at the hands of men who too often walk free. Especially in sports men have been able to use a position of power over women. Speaking to two-time Olympic medalist Kayla Harrison, she described her experiences of suffering sexual assault from those in power. Typically, it comes from those that students trust most. Kayla Harrison said:

Over 75 percent of cases involve well-known friends of the family: uncles, the coach, the neighbor, people that you know. And that’s a scary thing to think about as a parent. It’s terrifying, but unfortunately, it’s important that we do think about it … Why would you ever just hand over your kids to a coach, a tutor, or whoever it may be, and say, “Here, make my kid the next Gabby Douglas, make my kid the next Michael Phelps, make my kid a genius” We have to be really careful.

This is exactly what Vinesh Phogat looked to stop. Over the past two years, Vinesh has been the leader of protests marching against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Multiple women have come forward accusing Singh of sexual harassment. Adding that there was no oversight or accountability. This sparked major protests in India and the movement gained international attention. Her efforts have been part of a broader struggle for justice and change, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment for women in sports.

Vinesh faced much backlash from those in power, the general public, and the police. Many women at these protests, including Vinesh, were detained by police and would often face physical confrontations. Of these, police have faced no repercussions. She also faced smear campaigns. Despite all this, she knew her fight was just and her will could not be broken.

In her own words, Vinesh Phogat said:

“”I have only felt a deep sense of humiliation since I mustered the courage to protest … It was the same disgusting pattern over and over again and I am among the victims.The fact that no one was listening to us forced me and others to start a public protest as we wanted the nation to know how top athletes were being mistreated

“We wanted Singh to be dragged out of his home, but because he is a powerful man he is roaming around and we are being told to sit at home.”

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Ultimately, the protests have succeeded. The IOC is looking to adjust its standards. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former leader of the WFI has been stripped of his position and will face Delhi court regarding the accusations. The court said:

“The allegations reveal a pattern of behavior of the accused who exploited his position of power to sexually assault and harass female wrestlers over several years … The allegations demonstrate that the offenses committed against the victims were not random but part of a continuous sequence of events, suggesting a premeditated strategy to assault vulnerable victims repeatedly over several years. The modus operandi is consistent i.e., the exploitation of power and opportunity to harass subordinates.”

The protests of Vinesh Phogat were harshly criticized but she stood her ground. It resulted in direct change. Nationally and internationally, these movements contributed to a larger conversation about women’s safety both in sports and in general. Vinesh Phogat and her fight for justice is a better legacy than a gold medal.

Chael Sonnen Exposes the Truth Behind Imane Khelif’s Olympic Controversy

Chael Sonnen did not mince words when it came to Imane Khelif. The Algerian boxer has been at the…

Chael Sonnen did not mince words when it came to Imane Khelif. The Algerian boxer has been at the center of online furor during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games due to some controversy regarding her gender.

Imane Khelif

Algeria’s Imane Khelif was born a woman and competes as a woman in amateur boxing. Last year, a non-reputable organization the IBA suspended her over claims that were dubious and never made clear. The IOC does not take advice from the IBA as it is seen as corrupt.

The media got ahold of some story and the internet was ignited with anger. People claimed that she was a man or a trans athlete nor had elevated testosterone or had XY chromosomes. However, it was all misinformation. The IBA did not say that, to this day they still have not come forward with any claims such as these.

Chael Sonnen Talks Imane Khelif

Former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen laid it out plainly. The IBA had not said any of this. It was all misinformation. Not a man, not elevated testosterone, and the IBA did not test for chromosomes. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sonnen made it clear and did not hold back. He explained:

The claim that the boxer submitted a genetic test that came back with an XY chromosome—indicating that she is biologically male—is simply not true. The IBA, which initiated this whole controversy, never said such a test was done. They only mentioned that they found something, which was then appealed.

The IOC, which sees the IBA as insignificant in the broader sports world, reviewed the appeal. The IBA is relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of sports, and they never claimed that the test involved genetics or chromosomes. Everything else—this entire narrative—was fabricated by outlets and spread across the internet.

He added:

Alleging that this Algerian boxer had a test showing she had the XY chromosome, which would indicate biological maleness. But this is simply not true. The test never happened. The IBA never claimed such a test was done.

But if you care about the truth and the reality, I’ve just laid it out for you.

Imane Khelif: Israel Adesanya Offers Public Apology to Olympic Boxer: ‘I got that wrong’

Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya has admitted he was incorrect about Imane Khelif. The Algerian amateur boxer has been…

Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya has admitted he was incorrect about Imane Khelif. The Algerian amateur boxer has been the subject of much commotion during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Her gender was brought into question and social media was ignited.

Imane Khelif

Last year, the IBA suspended Imane Khelif over a “Gender Test.” What this test was remains inconclusive. The IBA has not come forth with any information despite hosting a press conference just days ago. The Algerian boxer has been in the Olympic testing system for years and has never tested positive for elevated testosterone levels nor is she a trans athlete.

The IBA is not considered a legitimate or reputable organization. The Olympics do not recognize them because of past issues with corruption. With the eyes of the world on them, the IBA hosted a 90-minute press conference in which they showed no evidence to back up anything they’ve claimed, and their claims remain dubious. In a statement, the IOC slammed the IBA for their work, they said:

The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.

Imane Khelif is not a trans athlete, she is not a man, and she does not have elevated testosterone levels. But the facts didn’t matter. Social Media platform X was ignited with furor. Bad faith arguers were ready to attack. More recently, many of these individuals have come forward and apologized for their words. They realize they were spreading misinformation.

Israel Adesanya

The Nigerian-Kiwi Israel Adesanya, former UFC champion, had some choice words for Imane Khelif. But, the former kickboxer has now reversed and issued a public apology. He said:

“I don’t like to get triggered and when something triggers me, I’m a fighter, I saw the news or articles and I was like, ‘Why they letting a trans person [fight women]’ and then I find out later she wasn’t actually a trans [person]. So to the lady, my bad. I got that wrong. To the lady, the boxer, I’m sorry. I didn’t understand what was going on.” [H/t Totalprosports]

Israel Adesanya publicly apologising to Imane Khelif for tweeting misinformation about her

“She wasn’t actually trans. To the lady, my bad, I got that wrong.” pic.twitter.com/Pgt62J6HFy

— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) August 7, 2024

Israel Adesanya will be back in the octagon next week. The striker is looking to reclaim his middleweight title as he faces the South African Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305. The event will be broadcast live from Perth, Australia.

The Bigot Undertones of the Imane Khelif Gender Controversy

The bad-faith actors, the usual peanut gallery, had their claws at the ready when Imane Khelif’s name up. These…

The bad-faith actors, the usual peanut gallery, had their claws at the ready when Imane Khelif’s name up. These 2024 Olympic games have been surrounded by gender controversy. The truth is that she is a woman, not a trans person, not a man competing as a woman, but it didn’t matter because these people were waiting for a target to unleash their long-held anger.

Imane Khelif: Olympic Gender Issues

Algeria’s Imane Khelif was born a woman, identifies as a woman, and competes as a woman. In her home country, it is illegal to be a trans person or have trans surgery. Being an LGBTQ person could land you in prison. It is unbelievable to think that Algeria would send a trans person to compete on their behalf, but the truth hardly mattered. Simply, these bad-faith arguers on X were looking for prey.

What initially kicked this off was a decision from the IBA. The IBA was the organization that suspended the Algerian-born Imane Khelif. This organization is not considered reputable by international standards. The Olympics cast them aside for corruption among other controversies. On the IBA “Gender Test” Morgan Campbell wrote for CBC Sports:

No IBA documents clarify exactly how these two women, who had competed issue-free in the past, landed outside the organization’s gender boundaries. Minutes from the board of directors meeting following the 2023 world championships repeatedly cite unspecified tests at an unnamed lab, and that the two boxers “failed to meet eligibility rules.” Eventually IBA president Umar Kremlev told a reporter that Khelif and Yu-Ting, who is also competing in Paris, had an X and Y chromosome, which made them, in IBA’s view, something besides women.

In a statement regarding the IBA, the IOC outlined that no proper procedure was followed, they added:

The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.

But it didn’t matter. The facts simply didn’t matter in the face of a great target; Imane Khelif.

The IBA had a bizarre press conference just a few days ago to respond. They did not provide any evidence regarding this case. Olympic sports writer Les Carpenter outlined what happened:

“Are you going to show us evidence, or is it time for us to leave the room now?” a reporter interrupted … With the men on the dais saying they don’t test all boxers for testosterone irregularities and had only chosen four at the 2022 championships, including Khelif and Lin, and then only Khelif and Lin in 2023. They did not provide the results of the 2022 tests or why those athletes were selected, other than vague references to complaints from opposing countries.

Trans people in sports is an entirely reasonable discussion to have. It is an interesting topic that is worth examining further. However, the issue is surrounded by reactionaries who are not looking for a reasonable discussion. Additionally, this case, with Imane Khelif, is backed by a peanut gallery on X and a corrupt boxing organization rather than facts.

Minority Women Being Called Men

Algeria’s Imane Khelif was called out for being a man, being a trans person, having increased testosterone, or being intersex; the insults followed a classic pattern to underscore minority women’s achievements by insulting them and claiming they are men. Women of color are constantly and historically called men.

Minority women often face microaggressions and overt insults that bisect with both racism and sexism. The intent behind these comments is to undermine their identities and achievements by attacking their appearance and questioning their femininity.

Women of Color

Michelle Obama was long criticized not for her political positions but instead she was accused of being a man. A lie that would last for all eight years of the presidency. It was designed to be an insulting jab, with racist undertones.

Some athletic examples include Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, WNBA star Brittney Griner, South African runner Caster Semenya, tennis champion Naomi Osaka, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, snowboarder Chloe Kim, tennis stars Venus & Serena Williams, golfing standout Michelle Wie, and all-time great boxer Claressa Shields.

Aside from athletes, the following women are often called men: Congresswoman Cori Bush, actress Michaela Coel, and Vice President Kamala Harris. What do all of the above women have in common? They are women of color, just like Imane Khelif. Women of color are insulted and have their looks compared to men at a much greater rate than their white counterparts who are in the same position.

The people themselves who are calling Imane Khelif a man are not racist. To be clear, the insult has a basis in racism. The insult has a bigoted context, not the people themselves.

Historic Context

This line of racist insults is not new, Imane Khelif happens to be the most recent target. It is an insult that dates back decades. Tennis player Althea Gibson, in the 1950s, was often subjected to comments that questioned her femininity. Implying she was more masculine. Track and field athlete Wilma Rudolph, in the 1950s, faced similar derogatory comments. Critics often made remarks about her muscular build, suggesting she was more male than female.

In the 1980s, runner Florence Griffith-Joyner set a record and met derogatory comments about her appearance and performance-enhancing drug accusations. The comments were often rooted in racial and gender biases. Critics implied that her muscular physique and performance were unnatural for a woman.

Insulting a minority woman and calling her a man is nothing new and a classic racist insult. Instead of raising up strong female athletes, and lifting their voices, the racist mob chooses to tear them down. Athletes such as Claressa Shields should be celebrated in a way that an all-time great athlete deserves to be treated. Instead, bigoted and old insults continue to plague women’s careers.

Top 5: The Most Jacked Olympic Wrestlers in History

These are the top 5 most jacked Olympic wrestlers in history. Olympic Wrestling is one of the physically grueling…

These are the top 5 most jacked Olympic wrestlers in history. Olympic Wrestling is one of the physically grueling sports in the Olympic Games, whether you’re competing in Greco-Roman or Freestyle disciplines. Wrestlers who compete in the Olympics need to be in perfect physical condition. Due to this, sometimes we get to see some pretty incredible physiques.

The Most Jacked Olympic Wrestlers in History

These are some Olympic wrestling greats who have achieved some outstanding physiques. Let these be your bulk-up inspirations during your next workout. Let’s countdown the top five Most Jacked Olympic Wrestlers in History.

5. Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan)

Artur Taymazov is an Uzbek-born freestyle wrestler with a presence in the super heavyweight division. He has won three Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012, plus one silver medal in 2000. Taymazov’s background in weightlifting and his impressive size have contributed to his success, making him one of the most decorated wrestlers in Olympic history plus one of the most jacked Olympic wrestlers ever.

4. Karam Gaber (Egypt)

Karam Gabe is an Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestler famed for his explosive power and muscular build. He won the gold medal in the men’s Greco-Roman 96 kg category at the 2004 Athens Olympics plus a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Gaber’s dominance has made him one of Egypt’s most celebrated wrestlers. Just a photo of him makes you want to do some bicep curls.

3. Javier Cortina (Cuba)

Javier Cortina is a Cuban freestyle wrestler who represented Cuba in the 2012 Summer Olympics in the 96 kg category. Cortina has also achieved success at the World Wrestling Championships, winning a bronze medal in 2014. Known for his muscular physique, Cortina is one of the most jacked Olympic wrestlers we’ve ever seen.

Cuba has produced some incredible Olympic Wrestlers such as modern legend Mijaín López. Lopes has been able to capture an incredible four gold medals in the Olympics, a feat no other man has been able to achieve.

2. Aleksandr Karelin ( Soviet Union & Russia)

The all-time great, but surprisingly only number two on this list. Aleksandr Karelin is a legendary Russian and Soviet Union Greco-Roman wrestler known for his incredible strength and dominance. He won three Olympic gold medals and one silver medal. His body is so impressive that Joe Rogan remarked, “Every now and then I like to pull out this picture of the great Russian wrestler Aleksander Karelin, just to remind myself of what a tremendous pussy I am.”

Aleksandr Karelin is one of the greatest Olympic wrestlers in history having won nearly 900 matches in his legendary career while only losing twice. His body was absolutely ridiculous. Plus, he was strong enough to utilize the famed “Karelin Lift” where he would lift his heavyweight opponent off the ground and then slam them.

1. Revaz Nadareishvili (Georgira)

Revaz Nadareishvili is a Georgian Greco-Roman wrestler known for his impressive physique. He competed in the men’s Greco-Roman 98 kg event at the 2016 Summer Olympics and was eliminated in the round of 16. Nadareishvili won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships. His muscular build has made him a standout in the wrestling community being one of the most jacked Olympic wrestlers in history.

To achieve this kind of body is a near-impossible task to look like one of the most jacked Olympic wrestlers. But we have written up a diet and exercise techniques guide with tips from Olympian Jordan Burroughs. According to him, one must partake in box jumps, hang cleans, squats, dumbbell rows, lunges, fan bike interval sprints, pullups, band-resisted exercises, and battle rope drills. It is also recommended to add deadlifts, weighted pull-ups, rowing, bicep curls, hammer curls, tricep dips, and pushups.

Earn the Olympic Wrestlers Physique – The Powerful Wrestler Workout Routine

It’s no easy task to earn the Olympic Wrestlers physique, but here we will break down the wrestler’s workout…

It’s no easy task to earn the Olympic Wrestlers physique, but here we will break down the wrestler’s workout routine to earn a body like an Olympian. Olympic Wrestlers go through some of the toughest diets and exercise plans outside of the competition. Then, the sport of wrestling is one of the most grueling sports in the Olympic Games. Their bodies must be in perfect condition.

Olympic Wrestlers Physique

Joe Rogan once admired the all-time great Olympic Wrestlers body of Aleksandr Karelin. The thick neck, forearms, bowling ball shoulders, and massive biceps; the Olympic Wrestlers Physique. With the strength to throw a heavyweight in a match. Rogan said, “Every now and then I like to pull out this picture of the great Russian wrestler Aleksander Karelin, just to remind myself of what a tremendous pussy I am.”

The Diet of an Olympic Wrestler

For wrestlers, diet plays a crucial role. If you’re starting on the thicker side and want to reveal more muscle, clean up your diet by cutting out processed foods, alcohol, sugary treats, and carbs. Aim for a small calorie deficit to lose 1-2 pounds of fat per week.

If you’re already lean and want to bulk up, focus on a calorie surplus with plenty of high-quality foods. Protein is key since it helps repair and grow muscles after workouts. Protein shakes and bars can be handy for this. Don’t forget to balance your diet with carbs and fats to keep your energy levels up.

Jordan Burroughs, a 4x World Champion and Olympic gold medalist, follows a meticulously planned diet to maintain his competition weight of 163 lbs while ensuring peak performance and recovery. His day starts with a nutrient-dense smoothie containing plant-based protein powder, almond milk, spinach, avocado, almond butter, chia seeds, and turmeric, providing around 608 calories.

Post-morning workout, he consumes a veggie omelet with mixed berries, totaling 335 calories. After his evening practice, he has a substantial dinner of salmon, sweet potatoes, and sautéed spinach and mushrooms, adding up to 772 calories. Overall, his daily intake includes about 136g of protein, 142g of carbohydrates, and 67g of fat, totaling approximately 1715 calories, designed to support intense training and effective recovery. This is a great way of obtaining an Olympic Wrestlers Physique.

Grip Strength – The Wrestler Workout Routine

Grip strength is vital in wrestling because so much of the sport involves controlling your opponent’s wrists. To build grip strength, try deadlifts and pull-ups. For deadlifts, use dumbbells or barbells with the heaviest weight you can handle. Pull-ups are great for upper body strength and grip. Challenge yourself with thicker bars or by adding weight to earn the Olympic Wrestlers Physique.

High-Resistance Conditioning

Conditioning is crucial for wrestlers, who need bursts of high-intensity energy. Instead of long runs, focus on high-resistance conditioning like sled sprints, hill sprints, or battle ropes. If you don’t have access to this equipment, HIIT workouts at home can also be effective.

Olympic Wrestlers Physique body workout routine and diet

Target Specific Areas—Legs, Back, and Arms

Wrestlers need strong legs, backs, and arms. For legs, do exercises like squats, lunges, Romanian deadlifts, and calf raises. For the back, try deadlifts, weighted pull-ups, and rowing. Don’t neglect your arms—work on bicep curls, hammer curls, tricep dips, and pushups. Also, incorporate exercises for forearms and grip, like farmer’s walks and pull-up bar hangs. To complete the Olympic Wrestlers Physique look, add some weighted neck curls and neck extensions to build a thick neck and traps.

The Wrestler Workout Routine

The aforementioned Jordan Burroughs, Olympic gold medalist, follows a rigorous and comprehensive workout routine that includes explosive exercises, cardio, and wrestling-specific drills, to outline earning the Olympic Wrestlers Physique. His conditioning circuit features fan bike interval sprints, pullups, band-resisted exercises, and battle rope drills to build power, speed, and quickness.

The US-born Burroughs also incorporates stance and motion drills to improve footwork and level changes, along with execution drills for his signature double-leg takedown. Strength training is a key component, with exercises like box jumps, hang cleans, squats, dumbbell rows, and lunges to enhance explosive power and overall strength. Burroughs typically trains early in the morning, balancing his demanding regimen with family time, under the guidance of his coach Mark Manning to ensure peak physical, mental, and emotional readiness for competition.