Geeta Phogat made headlines when the Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal raked in millions. However, the movie just highlighted her achievements which already existed.
Geeta Phogat made history when she became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal. The medal came at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi when she clinched it in the 55 kg category after beating Australia's Emily Bensted in a one-sided match.
However, this was not the first time that Phogat won an international gold medal. Geeta had already won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championship in 2009 in the 55 kg freestyle category. Before her gold, she became the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for the Olympics and also clinched a world championship medal.
The Olympics qualification for the 2012 London Olympics followed. The qualification came when she struck gold at the FILA Asian Olympic qualification tournament in Kazakhstan. After putting in the hard yards at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala under the guidance of OP Yadav and Ryad Dobo, Geeta returned with a bronze medal at the world championship the same year.
Her other achievements include a bronze medal in Asian championships 2012 in the 55 kg category. In the 2015 Asian championships in Doha, she competed in the 58 kg category and returned with a bronze as well.
Another gold came at the Melbourne Commonwealth Championship in the 55kg category in 2013. When the Commonwealth Championship was held in Johannesburg, Geeta returned with a silver in the 59 kg category.
Geeta Phogat turned into a celebrity after the Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal brought in millions, both in India and in other countries across the world. Geeta's role was played by Fatima Sana Sheikh while Babita Phogat came to life on screen courtesy of Sanya Malhotra.
Geeta has also dabbled in the entertainment industry and participated in Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi in 2017 as a contestant. She was also part of Bigg Boss season 11 in 2018 as a guest and then had made another guest appearance in a dance show called Nach Baliye in 2019.
Only a few people know that she also holds the rank of DSP in Haryana Police which was bestowed on her as a mark of appreciation for her achievements for the country. Given the amount of hard work she has put in for the nation, she thoroughly deserves all the recognition.
