Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat held a vibrant roadshow in Delhi on Saturday upon her return from the Paris Olympics. She was accompanied by her fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh, along with Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda.
After securing a remarkable win in the semi-finals of the 50 kg women’s freestyle wrestling, Vinesh advanced to the finals at the Olympic Games. However, she was disqualified from the competition for exceeding the weight limit by just 100 grams. Upon her arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, Vinesh was visibly emotional, shedding tears as she was greeted with an overwhelming reception. Her outstanding performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics earned her a historic welcome.
Speaking at the roadshow, Congress MP Deepender Hooda expressed his pride, stating, "The entire country is proud of Vinesh Phogat. People are cheering for her, and she is truly our nation’s daughter."
Fellow wrestler Sakshee Malikkh praised Vinesh, calling her a champion and saying, “This is a momentous day. What Vinesh has done for our country and for women is incredible. She is and always will be a champion for us.”
Bajrang Punia, while addressing the media, added, "Vinesh is being welcomed like a true champion. The nation witnessed her journey from humble beginnings to standing on the podium. We are grateful to all our countrymen for their support."
Vinesh, the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final at the Olympics, expressed her gratitude for the warm reception, saying, "I feel truly fortunate and thank everyone for their support."
Despite her disqualification, Vinesh made headlines by becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for an Olympic wrestling final. Earlier, her plea to be awarded a joint silver medal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). She announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, following the court's decision. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) voiced its disappointment in the CAS ruling, stating, "The IOA remains fully supportive of Vinesh Phogat and is exploring further legal options."
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