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Image: Murali Krishnan/DW

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 facing abuse.

A triple Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Phogat 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 monthslong 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 for those who continue to suffer exploitation and abuse…Women and athletes who agonize and continue to do so because of harassment, see me as one who can give them a voice. They have expectations and it is this desire which keeps me going. It was a necessity. -Vinesh Phogat

In May, a Delhi court charged Singh, a member of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. Singh denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

Phogat is a member of India's main opposition Congress party and recently represented the Julana constituency in legislative elections that took place in the northern Indian state of Haryana on October 5.

Her main opponent was Kavita Dalal from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who was the first Indian professional woman wrestler to compete in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). She also faced off against the BJP's Yogesh Bairagi, a former commercial pilot.

Exit polls have predicted a landslide win for Phogat. Final results are due on Tuesday.