Eight vows for seven: Wrestling couple pledges to stand for women empowerment

Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat on Thursday tied the knot with long-time boyfriend and fellow wrestler Somvir Rathee.

The couple got married in a private ceremony in Vinesh’s hometown Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. Reports claim that had got engaged in August when Somvir proposed Vinesh at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, following her return from the Jakarta Asian Games where she became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at any Asian Games.

Meanwhile, news has emerged that the couple decided to take eight vows together instead of the regular seven – the eighth being a promise to each other to rake up the cause of female foeticide in Haryana. “Beti Bachao, beti padhao, beti khilao (save daughters, teach daughters and to let them play,” was the eighth vow Vinesh and Somvir took.

Also read: 10 adorable pictures of superstar couple Saina Nehwal-Parupalli Kashyap

Vinesh’s cousins Geeta and Babita Phogat were also present the wedding. Geeta was accompanied by her husband Pawan Kumar to the wedding. Ritu, another of Vinesh’s sister, and an Asian Championships bronze medallist was also present. Here are some of the pictures from the wedding:

 

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#happymerriage?? #lots_of_love? #couplegoals #varmalaceremony @vineshphogat @vineshphogat_fc @somvir_rathee #blessings? #beautifulbride ?#13dec_2k18 #congratulations? follow #vineshphogat_fc #vineshphogat #vineshphogatwedding

A post shared by VINESH PHOGAT FC? (@vineshphogat_fc) on Dec 13, 2018 at 9:13am PST

 

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#weddingdiaries #bride&groom ?? #couplegoals ? #blessings? #fununlimited ??? #congratulations? #wrestling #wrestlers @vineshphogat_fc @vineshphogat @somvir_rathee #vineshphogat_fc #vineshphogat #vineshphogatwedding

A post shared by VINESH PHOGAT FC? (@vineshphogat_fc) on Dec 13, 2018 at 10:53pm PST

 

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#weddingdiaries #mother’s_blessings ?? #congratulations #couplegoals @vineshphogat @vineshphogat_fc #vineshphogat_fc #vineshphogat @somvir_rathee #vineshphogatwedding

A post shared by VINESH PHOGAT FC? (@vineshphogat_fc) on Dec 14, 2018 at 4:45am PST

 

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#weddingdiaries #wishes?? #familylove❤️ #blessings? #weddingvibes #congratulations @vineshphogat @vineshphogat_fc @somvir_rathee #vineshphogat_fc #vineshphogatwedding #somveerrathi #vineshphogat @geetaphogat @pawankumar_saroha86

A post shared by VINESH PHOGAT FC? (@vineshphogat_fc) on Dec 14, 2018 at 4:50am PST

Both Vinesh and Somvir hold positions in the Haryana Railways and have known each other for the last seven years.

Somvir, who is also a national level wrestler, has won two national championship gold medals. Vinesh, on the other, bounced back from her Rio Olympics disappointment to win the top honours at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and well as Asian Games.

Also read: Saina Nehwal gets married to Parupalli Kashyap, announces on Twitter