Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has received a rousing welcome after she arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Saturday. The grappler returned from Paris after the Olympic Games 2024 and received a welcome just like any other Olympic medallist.
Stars such as Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and panchayat leaders received Vinesh, who endured a heartbreaking exit at the Paris Olympics where she was disqualified for being overweight on the day of her 50kg final.
“She has come back to her country after such a long time. She is very emotional also. She will spend time with family and calm herself. What Vinesh has done for women is praiseworthy. She might not have received a medal, but she is a champion for us,” said Sakshi Malik.
Vinesh has inspired an innumerable number of fans with her fights on and off the mat. She had become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the semifinals and finals of the Olympic Games. Vinesh might have missed out on a historic medal, but her champion attitude has made everybody admire the Haryana-born grappler.
The security was tight as Vinesh landed in the capital. The Indian wrestler was disqualified from the 50kg final in the Paris Olympics due to exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams.
Vinesh Phogat’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a joint silver medal was dismissed earlier this week, leading to her extended stay in Paris.
London Olympics bronze medalist Gagan Narang, who served as the Indian contingent’s chief de mission in Paris, shared a photo with Vinesh at the airport, calling her a champion. He emphasized that Vinesh’s inspiration doesn’t require an Olympic medal, and lauded her for inspiring generations.
“Vinesh is returning to the country. People have come here at the (Delhi) airport to welcome her. People are also waiting to welcome her to our village. People are excited to meet Vinesh and encourage her,” her brother Harvinder Phogat said. She will also be given a grand welcome at her native village in Balali in Haryana.
