NEW DELHI: Celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat was greeted with a warm and enthusiastic reception upon her arrival at the IGI airport in the national capital on Saturday. A large crowd of supporters, including fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, gathered to show their solidarity and support for Phogat.
As Phogat, who was found to be 100 grams overweight, landed in Delhi, a robust security presence was in place to ensure her safety and smooth passage through the airport.
“Everyone from our village and nearby areas has come here to welcome her. We will felicitate her… she is a champion for me. The country has given her more honour than a gold medal,” Vinesh’s mother Premlata said.
As Phogat, who was found to be 100 grams overweight, landed in Delhi, a robust security presence was in place to ensure her safety and smooth passage through the airport.
“Everyone from our village and nearby areas has come here to welcome her. We will felicitate her… she is a champion for me. The country has given her more honour than a gold medal,” Vinesh’s mother Premlata said.
Due to her disqualification from the 50 kg gold medal bout for being overweight, Vinesh had to remain in Paris to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal.
However, her appeal was ultimately rejected on Wednesday.
During the reception, the Haryana-born wrestler was visibly moved by the outpouring of support and broke down into tears.
“I thank the entire country,” Vinesh said.
Vinesh had announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, just a day after her disqualification from the competition.
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