Vinesh Phogat, the former Indian wrestler who made headlines with her groundbreaking performance at the Paris Olympics, received an emotional and warm welcome in Imlota village, Bhiwani. Despite a bittersweet conclusion to her Olympic journey, where she was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit, Phogat was celebrated like a hero.
Following a successful roadshow through Jhajjar and Sonipat, Phogat continued her journey with close friends and supporters. The crowd in Bhiwani, numbering in the thousands, greeted her with enthusiastic cheers, garlands, and flowers, demonstrating their admiration and support for one of the country’s most prominent athletes.
Phogat’s arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi National Airport on Saturday was marked by a rousing reception. The Haryana-born wrestler was visibly moved and broke into tears, surrounded by a supportive crowd including fellow Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia.
In Paris, Phogat made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. However, she was disqualified from the 50 kg gold medal bout after being found 100 grams over the weight limit. Her appeal for a joint silver was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Following her disqualification, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, expressing her sorrow and gratitude in a heartfelt post.
Despite the setback, Phogat’s reception in Bhiwani and Delhi highlighted the nation’s respect and admiration for her contributions to the sport. Fans and supporters celebrated her achievements and offered their heartfelt tributes to her storied wrestling career.
