Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

‘Times changing for Indian girls’

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awards. After people started telling me about this nomination, I got a bit excited. I have no knowledge about the others in fray but I have seen Tiger Woods in Indian media,” said a candid Vinesh hours before Monday’s late evening ceremony.

‘LOVE FEDERER’

Vinesh though is a tennis fan.

“Is Roger Federer coming here? I am just inspired by Serena Williams and want to click a selfie with her. This Japanese girl Naomi Osaka is also quite good,” Vinesh showed off her tennis knowledge.

“It really doesn’t matter to me if I win or lose. That I will be representi­ng India at a world stage is more than enough and I am looking forward to see so many legends from other Olympic discipline­s,” she said.

Vinesh will be off to Bulgaria for a world ranking event in Ruse from February 28 to March 3. The more points she acquires from these tournament­s the path to Tokyo Olympics in 2020 will get clearer. “I have started training with the new Hungarian coach Woller Akos and this tournament will help me identify the areas to improve,” she said.

FACE OF INDIA

For European journalist­s like Tristan, women’s sport in India is still in the dark ages of early marriage and forced labour. Much to Tristan’s amazement, that sordid life is fast changing.

“Yes, we were married off early and forced to serve the men but today when we wear track suits and step out in sneakers, men in our villages are not shocked.

“Sport is becoming a way of life in many Indian villages and even the men are accepting that women have the mind and body to challenge the extremes in any sport,” said Vinesh.

If it’s a Phogat how can Dangal be far behind?

Do you tell Mahavir Phogat (her uncle and father of wrestlers Geeta and Babita) how training methods have changed?

“Oh my god, are you crazy? It is impossible to tell him all this. My sisters learnt the tricks of the trade from him and no matter what success we achieve in life, he (Mahavir) will always be part of the story,” signed off Vinesh.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (R) with husband Somvir Rathee in Monaco on Monday.
HT PHOTO Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (R) with husband Somvir Rathee in Monaco on Monday.

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