Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat was met with a thunderous welcome on Saturday as he arrived at Indira Gandhi National Airport in Delhi.
Indian star wrestler Vinesh Phogat has returned to India. She arrived at Delhi Airport around 11 AM. The disappointment of not winning a medal after reaching the finals in the Paris Olympics was clearly visible on Vinesh’s face. She became emotional upon her return and cried heavily. During this time, she wept openly. After returning to India, Vinesh also gave her first reaction.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik were present at Delhi Airport to welcome Vinesh. As soon as Vinesh stepped out, both hugged her. During this moment, Vinesh hugged them tightly and cried a lot. Upon her return to India, Vinesh Phogat said, “Thank you all.”
“Although Vinesh Phogat did not win a medal at the Paris Olympics, she has definitely won the hearts of every Indian. For this reason, she received a grand welcome at Delhi Airport. People were eager to catch a glimpse of Vinesh. After coming out of the airport, Vinesh joined her hands in gratitude to all her fans.”
The wrestler born in Haryana became emotional and started crying during the welcome at the airport.
In Paris, Vinish became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympics finals.
However, she was disqualified from the 50-kilogram gold medal match after being found to be over the weight limit by 100 grams. On Wednesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected her petition for a joint silver medal. She announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, a day after her disqualification.
On 7th August, Vinesh was supposed to compete against United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal. Before the final on 7th August, she was declared ineligible for the women’s 50kg final after crossing the 50kg weight limit. During the weigh-in, she was found to be 100 grams over the limit and declared ineligible. Following her disqualification, Vinesh appealed to award her a silver medal in the 50kg weight category.
A large crowd gathered at the Delhi airport to welcome the 29-year-old. Fans showered her with flowers upon her arrival in the national capital.
Vinesh announced his decision to retire from wrestling with an emotional message. “Mother wrestling has defeated me, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dream and my courage have been shattered. I have no strength left in me now. Farewell wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to all of you,” wrote Phogat in his post.
