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Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat is taking the fight from the mat to politics in her fight for justice and the protection of women, especially female athletes who face abuse.

Phogat, a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has been a leading figure in protests demanding action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a powerful politician and former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Phogat and other top wrestlers, including Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik, staged months of demonstrations in the Indian capital New Delhi, accusing Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation of female athletes.

I see this opportunity as a time to give back to society, especially those who continue to suffer exploitation and abuse. Women and athletes who continue to suffer because of harassment see me as someone who can give them a voice. They have expectations and it is this desire that keeps me going. It was a necessity. -Vinesh Phogat

In May, a court in Delhi indicted Singh, a member of the Indian Prime Minister’s Office Narendra Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. Singh denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

Phogat is a member of India’s main opposition Congress Party and recently represented the Julana constituency in parliamentary elections held on October 5 in the northern Indian state of Haryana.

Her main opponent was Kavita Dalal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the first Indian professional female wrestler to compete in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). She also took on the BJP’s Yogesh Bairgi, a former commercial pilot.

Exit polls predict a landslide victory for Phogat. The final results will follow on Tuesday.

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