‘She Knows Herself Better Than Anyone': Why Olympian Gian Singh Believes Vinesh Phogat's Comeback Matters

When Vinesh Phogat stepped away from wrestling after the heartbreak of Paris 2024, it felt like the end of a long, bruising chapter. Disqualified on the morning of the Olympic final after beating the unbeatable Yui Susaki her exit was painful to watch and even harder to accept. For many, that was the last image of Vinesh on the mat.

But on Friday (December 12), the three-time Olympian proved once again why her story has never followed the usual script. In an emotional post, Vinesh announced on social media that she is returning on the mat, and she is aiming for LA 2028. This time, she steps in not just as a wrestler, but as a mother one who calls her baby boy her "biggest strength. "

To understand the gravity of this comeback, we turned to someone

who has lived the grind himself: 1984 Olympian Gian Singh. His words bring clarity to why Vinesh's decision is bigger than a sporting headline.

"If she has taken this decision, it is a big thing for her. Even after so many difficulties, she is saying she will try again. We cannot even imagine how much dedication she has," Gian Singh told myKhel over phone. His voice carried both admiration and disbelief just like the rest of India.

He breaks down what many forget: wrestling is an individual sport. There is no age rule that locks you out. No team constraint that binds you. "There is no rule that at 31 or 32 you cannot compete. If you have the spirit, you can do it. " And Vinesh has shown that spirit for years through Rio, through Tokyo, through Paris.

Her comeback is even more remarkable because she returns as a new mother, a role that changes a woman's world overnight. Gian Singh does not dismiss that reality.

"Becoming a mother is not easy, and there are many challenges only women can truly understand. But if she is still thinking about the sport, it shows how committed she is," he adds further. His message is simple: if Vinesh has the courage, the mat will never close its doors on her.

He also reminds us what most fans may have forgotten in the chaos of Paris, Vinesh defeated Yui Susaki, the undefeated queen with an 82-0 record. That alone is enough to place her among the greats. "At the Paris Olympics, she defeated Susaki, something most can only dream of. As a player, she deserves praise. She is rare. Truly rare," Gian Singh says.

His words offer more than analysis; they offer context. They remind us that Vinesh's return is not just about medals. It is about pride. About unfinished business. About a woman refusing to let one bad day define a lifetime of work.

Yes, she is now a politician. Yes, she is a mother. Yes, she is 31. But Gian Singh cuts through all of that with one clear thought: "If you perform, you move forward. No one can stop you. "

In the end, Vinesh Phogat's comeback is a story India needed. It tells every athlete, every woman, every mother that dreams don't come with expiry dates. LA 2028 is far away. The road is long. But if the fire in the belly exists, there's no stopping. And Gian Singh sums it up nicely, when he says, "She knows herself better than anyone else. "