WATCH – Vinesh Phogat breaks down upon returning home from Paris Olympics, receives grand welcome

Ace Indian grappler Vinesh Phogat returns home to a heroic welcome on Saturday (Aug 17) after her Paris Olympic 2024 heartbreak. Vinesh landed at the IGI airport in New Delhi with a sea of fans present to welcome their superstar. Alongside Congress MP Deepender Hooda, former Olympic medal-winning wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and boxer Vijender Singh were also present to welcome Vinesh. 

Video of hundreds of fans carrying her on their shoulders and escorting her towards her car is going viral on social media. Meanwhile, upon receiving such warmth, Vinesh broke down in tears as she greeted her fans.

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Vinesh at the Paris Games

India won six medals in Paris this time, but Vinesh made headlines at the Summer Games for different reasons. Although she wasn’t among the medal winners, Vinesh created history by becoming the first female wrestler from the country to reach the final in women’s freestyle wrestling (in 50 kg). 

Despite her winning spree during her pre-quarters, quarter-final and semi-final at the Paris Olympics, Vinesh returned home empty-handed. 

So, what happened?

Per the Olympic rules, every participating wrestler in their respective weight category is supposed to undergo mandatory weigh-in tests on their scheduled days to ensure they are not overweight. 

ALSO READ: Vinesh Phogat pens emotional note after Paris Olympics heartbreak; pays tribute to late father

In Vinesh’s case, she was 2.7kg overweight after her semis win, and alongside her coach and selected Indian Olympic Association (IOA) members, she tried her best to reduce it to the required level. She exercised the whole night before her gold medal match, took a sauna, did countless cardio training, and even cut her hair, but failed to cut down on the needed weight, being overweight by 100gms. With that, she got disqualified from her gold medal match.

The Indian grappler even appealed against the IOC’s call at the Court of Arbitration (CAS) for a joint silver medal, but they dismissed it a few days later.

Soon after that decision, Vinesh travelled from Paris to New Delhi, where she received a grand welcome.

Sakshi and Bajrang hail Vinesh

These three wrestlers, alongside a few others, were part of the protests against now-suspended WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment by several female wrestlers across different age groups.

Though Sakshi and Bajrang failed to qualify for the Olympics, they backed Vinesh in her protest against the IOC’s call and were also present at the airport to welcome her.

“What Vinesh has done for the country, very few people do it. She should get more respect and appreciation...,” Sakshi said of Vinesh, while Bajrang added, “The countrymen are giving her tremendous love, you can see how the country welcomed her.” 

(With inputs from agencies)