Vinesh Phogat has been nominated for the prestigious Laureus Sports Award in the “comeback of the year” category. She has been nominated for making a strong comeback to wrestling after sustaining a career threatening injury at the 2016 Olympics. In 2018, she won the Gold medals at both the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in Indonesia.

Awarded to legendary players like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, though the wrestler says she does not have much of an idea as to what the award nomination is about, she says it will definitely help wrestling which is struggling for recognition.

Phogat, who had to cut short her 2016 Rio Olympics journey due to a knee injury also revealed that she herself is surprised at the way she has made a comeback to the international arena after the injury. She insisted that many athletes keep struggling after such injuries.

“I have seen athletes struggling so badly after suffering injuries. Sometimes I am shocked to see what and how I have achieved this success. It’s nothing but God’s grace.”

“Yes people say that (arrogant) but I know what’s inside me. And if it helps me on the mat, I don’t bother,” she said.

“People say it’s over-confidence but for me it’s belief. I don’t get intimidated and your opponent also notices the body language. Some people work on it but for me it’s God gift,” she added.