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Paris Olympics 2024 Vinesh Phogat Gets Gold Medal Upon Return To Village. To Celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday received a grand welcome on her return to India. Vinesh Phogat received a hero’s welcome upon her return to India, following a challenging time at the Paris Olympics. The celebrated wrestler, who faced disqualification for being 100 grams overweight during the 50kg final, was greeted by hundreds of supporters as she arrived at IGI Airport in Delhi. Her return was marked by an outpouring of love and respect that, in her words, was better than winning a thousand Olympic medals.
At around 10:30 a.m., Vinesh emerged from the airport accompanied by her husband, Somvir Rathi, and Congress MP Deepender Hooda. The beats of ‘dhol’ filled the air as supporters gathered in large numbers to welcome her back. Fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, along with several panchayat leaders, were also present to show their solidarity.
Vinesh’s journey home to her native village of Balali in Haryana was nothing short of a victory parade. Draped in garlands, she stood in an open Jeep, waving to her supporters and expressing her heartfelt thanks. Hooda, who accompanied her on this journey, offered her sweets and later presented her with a mace, a traditional symbol of victory. Overwhelmed with emotion, Vinesh was consoled by her husband as they continued their journey.
As her convoy made its way from Delhi to Balali, a distance of 135 kilometers, it was met with enthusiastic crowds at every stop. The journey, which took around 12 hours, saw Vinesh being honored by local panchayats at various locations, including Dhankot, Badli, Jahajgarh, Loharwada, Ghasoula, and Mandoula. At each stop, the support and affection shown by the people brought Vinesh to tears. Speaking at one of the stops in Badli, she expressed her gratitude by saying, “So what if they didn’t give me the gold medal? The love and respect I’ve received here is worth more than a thousand Olympic gold medals.”
Bajrang Punia echoed her sentiments, stating that the love and respect she received from the people was more valuable than any medal. He expressed his gratitude to the entire nation for standing by Vinesh during this difficult time. He also acknowledged the words of Manraj Ji from Gulia Khap, who described Vinesh as a diamond, saying that if there was something more valuable than a diamond, Vinesh would be that.
The journey also included a stop at a temple in Delhi’s Dwarka, where prayers were offered before continuing towards Balali. A group of about 50 supporters followed her Jeep, showing their unwavering support for the wrestler.
Vinesh’s journey back home wasn’t just about returning to her roots; it was a testament to her resilience and the admiration she commands across the country. Despite the heartbreak of the Paris Olympics, where she had stayed back to challenge her disqualification in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and demand a joint silver, her appeal was dismissed, and she returned to India without a medal. However, the reception she received made it clear that she remains a champion in the eyes of millions.
London Olympics bronze medalist shooter Gagan Narang, who served as the Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent in Paris, also showed his support by posting a photo with Vinesh at the Paris airport. He described her as a champion, emphasizing that sometimes one doesn’t need an Olympic medal to inspire a billion dreams. His sentiments were shared by many, including Vinesh’s brother, Harvinder Phogat, who mentioned that the entire village was eagerly awaiting her return. Her mother, Premlata, also expressed their hopes for a gold medal after previous disappointments, but recognized that Vinesh had fought well.
In her first public reaction following her disqualification, Vinesh opened up about her future in wrestling. She shared on social media that under different circumstances, she could see herself competing until 2032, as she still has a lot of wrestling left in her. However, she admitted that the future remains uncertain, and things might never be the same again. This introspection came after she announced her retirement from the sport following her disqualification.
Vinesh’s emotional post on social media highlighted her childhood dream, the hardships she faced after losing her father, and the significant contributions of those who supported her throughout her extraordinary journey. Despite the challenges, Vinesh remains a symbol of courage, determination and inspiration for millions, proving that her legacy extends far beyond the wrestling mat.
Paris Olympics 2024 : Vinesh Falls Ill During Felicitation In Village, Punia Concerned
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Olympics 2024 campaign ended in heartbreak when she was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling final for being just 100 grams overweight. Despite the setback, the 29-year-old fought on, appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be considered for a joint-silver medal. Unfortunately, her appeal was rejected, and Vinesh returned home without a medal. Vinesh return to Haryana was met with overwhelming support, as family, friends and fans gave her a grand welcome.
When Vinesh arrived at her village, Balali, she was honored by her supporters and members of the ‘khap’ panchayats. In a heartfelt gesture, they presented her with a gold medal, symbolizing their admiration and respect for her resilience. The joyous occasion took a sudden turn when Vinesh reportedly fell ill and fainted during the felicitation ceremony.
The long journey from Paris, combined with the emotional and physical toll of the road show and ceremonies, likely contributed to Vinesh’s condition. After enduring a taxing flight and immediately participating in several events, the exhaustion was too much for the athlete. The hectic schedule following her arrival might have been the root cause of her sudden illness.
Despite the unfortunate end to her Olympic journey, Vinesh’s spirit remains unbroken. Her homecoming, although marred by her fainting episode, was a testament to the love and support she has from her community. The gold medal she received from her supporters may not have been from the Olympics, but it represents something equally valuable—the unwavering belief her people have in her.
Vinesh’s story is a reminder that while medals are significant, the respect and admiration one earns through perseverance and courage are far more enduring. The wrestler may have faced a setback on the international stage, but in the eyes of her supporters, she will always be a champion.
Vinesh Phogat faints during felicitation ceremony in Haryana
Vinesh Phogat, the celebrated Indian wrestler, recently faced a health scare during a felicitation ceremony in her home village of Balali, Haryana. The incident happened shortly after her return from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite the disappointment of being disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling final for being slightly overweight, Phogat was greeted with a warm and enthusiastic welcome by her family and supporters.
Phogat’s appeal for joint-silver medal rejected
Phogat, who was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling final atParisOlympics 2024 for being 100gms overweight, had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) for a joint-silver medal.However, her appeal was not successful and she returned home without any medal.This decision sparked controversy both in India and within the global wrestling community.
Phogat’s health scare during felicitation ceremony
Despite the disappointment of her disqualification, Phogat was greeted with a grand reception in her village.She was honored with a gold medal by local supporters and members of the ‘khap’ panchayats.However, during this ceremony, she reportedly fell ill and fainted.The exact cause of her sudden illness is not yet known but it is speculated that fatigue from her long journey and participation in a road show could be factors.
Phogat expresses gratitude and future aspirations
Despite her health scare, Phogat expressed gratitude for the support she received from her village.She stated, “I will always be indebted to this nation, this village for giving me so much love and respect.”The two-time World Championships medalist also shared her aspiration to train future women wrestlers from Balali. She hopes that they will surpass her own achievements in the sport.
Phogat’s emotional farewell after upset
Following the dismissal of her appeal, a disheartened Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. “I can’t predict what the future holds for me,” she stated in her letter.The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), led by President PT Usha, expressed “shock and disappointment” at CAS’s decision, labeling it as a significant blow to both Phogat and the broader sporting community
Vinesh Phogat reconsiders retirement decision post Paris Olympics setback
Vinesh Phogat, India’s renowned wrestler, is reevaluating her retirement decision following the2024 Paris Olympics.Her sudden announcement came after a disqualification from the women’s 50kg wrestling event final due to being slightly overweight.This setback ended her Olympic journey prematurely, despite making history as the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final.
Phogat’s emotional return and future uncertainties
Upon her return to India, Phogat was greeted with a grand reception. Supporters at theDelhiairport welcomed her with garlands and flower showers.In her hometown inHaryana, she expressed that the missed medal will leave a lasting impact. “This Olympic medal has become a deep wound,” said Phogat.She also hinted at uncertainty about her retirement decision but promised to continue fighting.
Phogat’s historic victory and subsequent disqualification
On August 6, Phogat defeated top seed Yui Susaki, two-time European Games medalist Oksana Livach, and Pan-American Games champion Yusneylys Guzman Lopez.Despite her victory, she was required to lose approximately 2kg before the next morning.However, even after taking drastic measures including cutting her hair, Phogat failed the weigh-in by 100gm on August 7 leading to her disqualification from the competition.
Phogat’s appeal and the wrestling federation’s response
Post her disqualification, Phogat challenged the decision of IOC (International Olympic Committee) and UWW (United World Wrestling) in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).However, her appeal was dismissed after a week-long hearing.Meanwhile,Delhi High Courthas reinstated IOA’s ad-hoc committee to oversee WFI affairs following a plea by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh, Sakshi Malik and Satyawart Kadian.
Phogat’s heartfelt social media post and future aspirations
Phogat took to social media to share her wrestling journey from childhood and thanked her support staff, including Dinshaw Padiwalla, the Chief Medical Officer appointed by IOA for the Indian contingent at Paris Olympics 2024.She also expressed gratitude toward her husband, Somvir.”Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032,” she wrote in her post.