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{{short description|Indian amateur wrestler and senior Olympics coach}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| headercolor =
| name = Mahavir Singh Phogat
| image = Mahavir Singh Phogat at the special screening of ‘Dangal’.jpg
| caption = Phogat in 2016
| birth_name =
| nationality = [[India]]n
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Bhiwani District|Bhiwani]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
| height =
| country = India
| sport = [[Wrestling]]
| spouse = Daya Kaur
| coach =
| retired =
| coaching = [[Geeta Phogat]], [[Babita Kumari]], [[Ritu Phogat]], [[Vinesh Phogat]], [[Priyanka Phogat]]
| worlds =
| regionals =
| nationals =
| olympics =
| highestranking =
| show-medals = [[Dronacharya Award]]
}}

'''Mahavir Singh Phogat''' is an Indian [[Amateur wrestling|amateur wrestler]], senior [[Olympics]] coach and politician.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mahavir Singh Phogat |url=https://zeenews.india.com/tags/mahavir-singh-phogat.html |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=Zee News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/search/mahavir-singh-phogat_all|title=Mahavir Singh Phogat : Read Mahavir Singh Phogat Latest News, Photos, Videos Online on Midday|access-date=18 March 2021|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226180307/http://www.mid-day.com/search/mahavir-singh-phogat_all|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the trainer and father of the [[Phogat sisters]].<ref name=d2>{{Cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/10/21/meet-mahavir-singh-phogat-the-fascinating-wrestler-who-inspired |title=Meet Mahavir Singh Phogat the fascinating wrestler who inspired, Publication: Huffington Post newsportal; Published on: 21 October 2016; Accessed on: 6 March 2017 |access-date=25 October 2016 |archive-date=8 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708083115/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/10/21/meet-mahavir-singh-phogat-the-fascinating-wrestler-who-inspired/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Hindi]] biographical film ''[[Dangal (2016 film)|Dangal]]'' is loosely based on his life.

Mahavir Singh Phogat was awarded the [[Dronacharya Award]] by the [[Government of India]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Sports Awards – 2016 |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=149084 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=18 March 2021 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204072626/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=149084 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dangal.net/2015/04/film-dangal-wrestler-mahavir-singh-phogat-biography.html|title=Film Dangal is wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat's biography - Aamir plays Mahavir|publisher=|access-date=1 February 2016|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226202248/http://dangal.net/2015/04/film-dangal-wrestler-mahavir-singh-phogat-biography.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the father and coach of [[Geeta Phogat]],<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|last=Basu|first=Hindol|date=14 June 2015|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/The-hero-behind-Dangal/articleshow/47660174.cms|title=The hero behind 'Dangal' | Chandigarh News|work=The Times of India|access-date=7 February 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810023447/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/The-hero-behind-Dangal/articleshow/47660174.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/wrestling-coach-mahavir-phogat-overlooked-for-dronacharya-award/15523177|title=Wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat overlooked for Dronacharya Award|date=11 August 2014|work=Mid Day|access-date=7 February 2020|archive-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807141531/https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/wrestling-coach-mahavir-phogat-overlooked-for-dronacharya-award-15523177|url-status=live}}</ref> who won India's first gold medal in women's wrestling in the 55 kg freestyle category at the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]], and the first Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the [[Olympics]], and [[Babita Kumari]], who won a bronze medal at the [[2012 World Wrestling Championships]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/OtherSports/Babita-clinches-bronze-in-World-Championships/Article1-937328.aspx |title=Babita clinches bronze in World Championships |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=11 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112030431/http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/OtherSports/Babita-clinches-bronze-in-World-Championships/Article1-937328.aspx |archive-date=12 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and won the gold medal in [[2014 Commonwealth Games]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = JSW Sports Excellence Program Wrestling|url = http://www.jsw.in/sports/wrestling|website = www.jsw.in|access-date = 2 November 2015|archive-date = 5 November 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161105084944/http://www.jsw.in/sports/wrestling|url-status = live}}</ref> Phogat's niece, [[Vinesh Phogat]], was also a [[Commonwealth Games]] gold medalist and also won gold medal at Asian games 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-meet-the-medal-winning-phogat-sisters-2009485|title=Meet the medal winning Phogat sisters|first=Gargi|last=Gupta|date=10 August 2014|website=DNA India|access-date=7 February 2020|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207114402/https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-meet-the-medal-winning-phogat-sisters-2009485|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/wrestling/But-hey-this-is-family/articleshow/6239783.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103162947/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-31/wrestling/28274884_1_gold-medals-boys-commonwealth-gold |url-status=live |archive-date=3 November 2012 |title=But hey, this is family... |date=31 July 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=11 October 2013}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Phogat was born in [[Bhiwani district]] of [[Haryana]].<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Geeta Phogat's Real Life Journey From Akhada To CWG Gold Is More Inspiring Than Dangal |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/geeta-phogat-s-real-life-journey-from-akhada-to-cwg-gold-is-more-inspiring-than-dangal-the-movie-268184.html |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=IndiaTimes |date=26 December 2016 |language=en-IN |archive-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102201702/https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/geeta-phogat-s-real-life-journey-from-akhada-to-cwg-gold-is-more-inspiring-than-dangal-the-movie-268184.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and hails from [[Balali]] in [[Charkhi Dadri district]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Aamir Khan promises to attend his 'Dangal' 'daughter' Geeta Phogat's wedding |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/041116/aamir-khan-promises-to-attend-his-dangal-daughter-geeta-phogats-marriage.html |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=4 November 2016 |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520054355/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/041116/aamir-khan-promises-to-attend-his-dangal-daughter-geeta-phogats-marriage.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He is married to Daya Shobha Kaur and has four daughters & one son - [[Geeta Phogat|Geeta]], [[Babita Kumari|Babita]], [[Ritu Phogat|Ritu]], [[Sangita Phogat|Sangita]] and Dushyant respectively. As a [[Foster care|foster father]], he also took care of his nieces [[Vinesh Phogat|Vinesh]] and [[Priyanka Phogat|Priyanka]], children of his brother who was killed in a land dispute. All the 6 Phogats are trained in wrestling by Mahavir. While Geeta, Babita and Vinesh are international players, Ritu has won a gold medal at the national championship and Priyanka and Sangeeta have won medals in age-level international championships.

== Popular culture ==
===Biographical film===
{{Main|Dangal (2016 film)}}
The Indian biographical film ''[[Dangal (2016 film)|Dangal]]'' is based on Singh's life and the journey of his daughters towards success. [[Aamir Khan]] plays the role of Mahavir Singh Phogat, while [[Fatima Sana Shaikh]] and [[Sanya Malhotra]] play the roles of his daughters [[Geeta Phogat|Geeta]] and [[Babita Phogat|Babita]] respectively. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/aamir-khan-to-play-mahavir-phogat-in-dangal-meets-his-wrestler-daughters-geeta-and-babita/|title=Aamir Khan to play Mahavir Phogat in Dangal, meets his wrestler daughters Geeta and Babita|date=30 July 2015|work=The Times of India|access-date=7 February 2020|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207114358/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/aamir-khan-to-play-mahavir-phogat-in-dangal-meets-his-wrestler-daughters-geeta-and-babita/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/this-is-how-aamir-is-preparing-for-his-role-in-dangal/story-0nqVeEg24Qu1CR5Nm606iM.html|title=This is how Aamir is preparing for his role in Dangal|date=30 July 2015|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=7 February 2020|archive-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807141531/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/this-is-how-aamir-is-preparing-for-his-role-in-dangal/story-0nqVeEg24Qu1CR5Nm606iM.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Aamir Khan now on a new diet for 'Dangal' - Bollywood News |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/aamir-khan-now-on-a-new-diet-for-dangal-hindi-news-151725.html |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=IndiaGlitz.com |date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622193210/https://www.indiaglitz.com/aamir-khan-now-on-a-new-diet-for-dangal-hindi-news-151725.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/10/21/meet-mahavir-singh-phogat-the-fascinating-wrestler-who-inspired/|title=Mahavir Singh Phogat Who Inspired A* amir Khan for 'Dangal'|publisher=|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025071214/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/10/21/meet-mahavir-singh-phogat-the-fascinating-wrestler-who-inspired/?|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Honours==

[[File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Dronacharya Award for the year-2016 to Shri Mahabir Singh for Wrestling (Lifetime), in a glittering ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 29, 2016.jpg|thumb|Mahavir Singh receiving the [[Dronacharya Award]] from President [[Pranab Mukherjee]] in August 2016]]

===National Honours===
* 2016 – [[Dronacharya Award]]

===Book===
{{Main|Akhada: The Authorized Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat}}
''Akhada'' is the authorised biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler and a coach. The book is penned by sports journalist Sourabh Duggal and was released on 21 December 2016 at the Chandigarh Press Club.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/man-who-inspired-dangal-releases-his-biography-akhada-in-chandigarh/story-3Oy0MRVwc4hq48NzzLwJ0O.html|title=Man who inspired 'Dangal' releases his biography 'Akhada' in Chandigarh|date=16 December 2016|access-date=23 December 2016|archive-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807141520/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/man-who-inspired-dangal-releases-his-biography-akhada-in-chandigarh/story-3Oy0MRVwc4hq48NzzLwJ0O.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It traces Mahavir Phogat's journey with his daughters and nieces hailing from a small village in Haryana to winning the medals for the country.<ref>[http://www.vowelor.com/book/akhada-mahavir-singh-phogat-biography-review/ "Akhada: The Authorised Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222084406/http://www.vowelor.com/book/akhada-mahavir-singh-phogat-biography-review/ |date=22 December 2016 }}, written by Saurabh Duggal</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phogat, Mahavir Singh}}
[[Category:Indian male sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:Sport wrestlers from Haryana]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bhiwani]]
[[Category:Indian wrestling coaches]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Dronacharya Award]]
[[Category:Phogat sisters|Mahavir]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Haryana]]

Mahavir Singh Phogat - Revision history

Viji at 06:45, 1 September 2025