In Haryana, taking the mat by storm

Over the years, more and more women have taken to wrestling in a State known to have strong patriarchal views. While societal acceptance of their presence in a traditionally hyper-masculine sport is growing, some biases still exist, reports Ashok Kumar

Every September 9, the Sangwans cut a cake. For the family of five at Jhojhu Khurd, a village in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district, the date will always be special. It was on this day that their daughter, Komal, chose wrestling as her career, years earlier. When she was nine, Komal sat at home and watched on TV, along with her father Sunil Sangwan, in Glasgow. Vinesh won that game. Komal was enthralled by Vinesh’s physical strength and immediately decided that she would follow in the footsteps of her favourite wrestler. Vinesh, who is the cousin of Geeta and Babita Phogat, whose story was the basis for the blockbuster film Dangal, stayed just four-km away in Balali village in Bhiwani district. Komal’s dream literally did not seem distant.