Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat received a grand welcome upon her arrival in Delhi from the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024 on Saturday, August 17. Phogat had a heartbreaking end to her Paris Olympics' campaign as she was disqualified from the gold medal bout after she found to be weighed 100 grams more than permissible limit of 50kg, her weight category in women's wrestling.
Vinesh Phogat appealed the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) for joint silver medal following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. The CAS accepted Phogat's petition for the hearing. After the judgement on her appeal was delayed thrice, the tribunal court for sports ultimately dismissed it by upholding IOC and UWW rules on weight in wrestling.
Despite the heartbreaking end, Vinesh Phogat returned home to a grand welcome by the crowd and fellow wrestlers, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, who were waiting outside the Delhi Airport to welcome her.
After coming out of the airport, Vinesh Phogat, who was visibly emotional on seeing the massive reception, gave her first reaction on the CAS dismissing her appeal for silver medal.
"I want to thank the people of the country who were supporting us in our fight. Our fight is not over yet," Vinesh told the media.
After the CAS dismissed her appeal for the silver medal following disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat penned a heartfelt note in a three-page statement, which she posted on her Instagram.
The 29-year-old wrestler from Haryana recalled her life story and wrestling journey while emphasising the fightback and struggles she had to go through in order to play the sport at the highest level.
Vinesh Phogat thanked the support staff and coaches for their unwavering support throughout their campaign at the Paris Olympics. The 29-year-old feels that she can play till 2032, hinting at representing India at the 2026 and 2032 Olympics.
After arriving in Delhi, Vinesh Phogat has headed to Balali, her ancestral village in Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana.
The preparations to welcome are already underway as the villagers have been busy making sweets and decorations for the occasion.
Vinesh Phogat resides in Balali village where she was born and brought up. Phogat began her wrestling career at the age of young age of 9 under the guidance of her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat, who took care of her niece after her father passed away. Phogat's return to her village is a moment of pride for the entire community, who have been waiting for her arrival.
Mahavir Singh Phogat said that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed like a gold medalist to her village even though she returns with an empty hand.
