Celebrated Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat received a rousing welcome upon her return to India after her controversial disqualification at the Paris Olympics. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, expressing their solidarity with Phogat, who was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final.
The outpouring of support continued during a roadshow from Delhi to Phogat’s native village of Balali. Along the 135km journey, she was felicitated by supporters and ‘khap’ panchayats in several villages, extending the trip to nearly 13 hours.
In Balali, Phogat was greeted with a gold medal by community elders, a testament to the pride and admiration she has brought to her village. Despite the late hour, a massive crowd attended the felicitation ceremony.
Overwhelmed by the reception, Phogat expressed her gratitude and her desire to train women wrestlers from Balali to achieve even greater success than herself. She emphasized the importance of support and encouragement for aspiring female wrestlers.
Phogat’s disqualification had sparked outrage in India and the wrestling world. Her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was rejected, but her determination and resilience have inspired many.
Upon reaching her village, Phogat addressed the gathering, expressing her hope that someone from Balali would surpass her achievements. She urged the community to support women wrestlers and provide them with the necessary resources to excel.
Phogat’s journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. She is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Asian Games champion, and has won eight Asian Championships medals. Her disqualification at the Olympics was a setback, but it has not diminished her spirit or her commitment to the sport.
Phogat’s return to India has been a celebration of her achievements and a reminder of the power of resilience and determination. Her story continues to inspire aspiring wrestlers and serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes.
