India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat has returned home. Vinesh got a warm welcome back home on Saturday after her heartbreak at the Paris Olympics 2024. His flight landed at Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi. Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik also arrived to welcome Vinesh. Vinesh became a little emotional after seeing the tremendous enthusiasm of the people. He expressed his feelings after coming to India in a few words. He thanked people for their immense support in difficult times and described himself as lucky.
Vinesh told the media, “Many thanks to the entire countrymen.” I am very lucky.” Whereas Sakshi Malik, who won the bronze medal in the Rio Olympics, said, ”Very few do what Vinesh has done for the country. I just want Vinesh to get respect and honor as much as possible.” Bajrang Punia said, ”The countrymen are giving a lot of love to Vinesh. People have given her a tremendous welcome. Let us tell you that Vinesh had made it to the finals after registering three consecutive wins in the Paris Olympics. But on the morning of the final Vinesh was disqualified.
The Indian wrestler was disqualified from the women’s 50kg final for being overweight by just 100 grams. After Vinesh reached the final, at least the silver medal was assured. However, due to disqualification, he had to return empty handed from Paris. He challenged this decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but his appeal was rejected. Vinesh had announced her retirement from the sport after being disqualified. However, he hinted at his return from retirement on Friday. He said that I don’t know what will happen in the future?
Vinesh wrote in a social media post, “I just want to say that we did not give up, our efforts did not stop, but the clock stopped and the time was not right. Maybe this was my destiny.” He further wrote, ”Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the struggle and wrestling will always be there in me. I can’t predict what the future holds for me but I’m looking forward to the journey. I am sure that I will always fight for what I believe in and what is right.
