Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat returned to India from Paris on 17 August (Saturday). Vinesh was given a grand welcome at Delhi airport. Star wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik also reached Indira Gandhi Airport to receive Vinesh. Vinesh has now gone from Delhi to her native village Balali. While going to Balali, Vinesh was given a grand welcome at many places.
‘Our own people rewarded us with gold’
People also gave a grand welcome to Vinesh Phogat in Badli, Haryana. During this, Vinesh Phogat addressed the people and said, ‘All the people who are welcoming us, so what if they did not give us the gold medal. Our own people have honored us with something more than gold. This honor and respect pales in comparison to thousands of gold medals.’
Video | “Though they didn’t give me a gold medal, the people here have given me that. The love and respect I have received is more than 1,000 gold medals,” says wrestler Vinesh Phogat@Phogat_Vinesh) in Haryana’s Badli. #ParisOlympics2024
(Full video is available on PTI…) pic.twitter.com/mBfznGwb9Q
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2024
To welcome Vinesh Phogat, 8.30 quintals of laddus have been made in her village and pakodas are being fried. The villagers say that they are definitely disappointed with not getting a medal but the pride that the daughter of their village has brought to the country is no less than a gold and she should prepare for the Olympics in future.
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified in Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh created history by reaching the final of women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling. However, she was disqualified on the day of the final match due to 100 grams more weight. If seen, for the first time an Indian wrestler reached the final. Vinesh appealed against this decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and demanded that she be given a joint silver medal. However, CAS rejected the appeal of star wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
Vinesh hinted at comeback from retirement
Vinesh had announced her retirement from wrestling after being disqualified. However, she has now hinted at a return from retirement. Vinesh wrote in an Instagram post, ‘Maybe under different circumstances, I can see myself playing till 2032, because the struggle and wrestling will always be in me. I cannot predict what the future has in store for me but I am looking forward to this journey. I am sure that I will always fight for what I believe in and for the right thing.’
India won a total of six medals including one silver and five bronze medals in the Paris Olympics. India got its first medal in shooting, when Manu Bhaker won bronze in the women’s 10 meter air pistol. Then Manu Bhaker also won the second bronze in the mixed team event. Sarabjot Singh was also in the team with her. The third bronze medal was won by Swapnil Kusale in the men’s 50 meter rifle three position shooting. Then the men’s hockey team won bronze and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal. After this, wrestler Aman Sehrawat won bronze in men’s 57 kg freestyle.
These 6 athletes won medals in Paris
🥈Neeraj Chopra
🥉Manu Bhaker
🥉Manu Bhaker/Sarabjot Singh
🥉Dreamland Kusale
🥉Aman Sahrawat
🥉Hockey
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)