VINESH PHOGAT BACK TO INDIA. ACCORDED TUMULTUOUS WELCOME AT PALAM AIRPORT
( All pics taken from social media)
The pride of India international wrestler representing India in Paris Olympics in fifty KG weight wrestling having entered semifinals after defeating back to back three eminent Gold medalist wrestlers from Japan, Ukraine and Cuba to finally bout with the American wrestler but disqualified for being overweight by just 100 grams and thereafter also losing her appeal in the Court of Arbitration for sports Vinesh Phogat landed at Palam international Airport in tears becoming emotional where she was received by hundreds of her fans, admirers, family members, relatives, mediamen and even police personnel including security forces jubilant looking personnel. Though there was a strong police and security arrangements at the Palam Airport everything went well and in peaceful manner with hundreds of people welcoming her presenting bouquets and garlands.
The renowned wrestler having won several medals for the country in international games Sakshi Malik, Olympian and Bronze medal winner in previous Olympics Bajrang Punia , Member of Parliament from Haryana Bhupendra Singh Hooda , and another boxer Narang were there to welcome her at the airport with flowers and bouquets. Narang was with Vinesh Phogat in the flight. Though almost all the athletes have returned back till 14 th night of August, Vinesh Phogat stayed back in Paris with the optimism to receive the joint Silver medal banking in the positive judgement of the CAS but hurd lucked Vinesh couldn’t make it as her please was dismissed by CAS.
However, in India and elsewhere everyone is believing and convinced that injustice has been done with Vinesh Phogat a determined wrestler with perseverance highly optimistic of winning the Gold. Has she withdrawn going to the final she would have easily bagged the Silver and come home with the medal but she wanted to win the Gold and was immensely hopeful but for her hard luck.
The Haryana MP Bhupinder Hooda who had been with her and Bajrang Punia including Sakshi Malik during their thick and thin when they were on the confrontationist path sitting in Dharna at Jantar Mantar, was also at Palam Airport to receive the daughter of the nation blessings her and offering her sweets. He wrote on X posting the pictures : Today, our sister Vinesh Phogat, the daughter of the country, who returned home like a brave warrior, was given a rousing welcome at the Delhi airport. In our eyes, you have been a winner in the past and will remain so in the future too. Your courage, struggle and determination have not only won the hearts of crores of countrymen but you are an inspiration to crores of youth of the country. @Phogat_Vinesh.
What is interesting to note her that while Vinesh has not been able to bring medals in Paris due to her disqualification in Delhi they have win the case in High Court against the IWFI in which the Court has taken back powers from the Federation and asked the adhic committee appointed by the IOC to manage the affairs of Indian Wrestling Federation taking away entire power from the Federation subject to the decision by the Ministry of Sports etc.
It may be recalled that Vinesh Phogat has exhibited outstanding feats in Paris Olympics by first defeating two times Olympics Gold medalist and four times world champion of Japan Yui Susaki 3-2 in pre quater final entering the semi final. Thereafter Phogat defeated the Ukraine’s wrestler Oksana Livach entering the semifinal . In the semifinals she defeated the Cuba’s wrestler by 5-0 and entered finals to contest with Hinderbrandt of America. But unfortunately before the commencement of the final event she was disqualified for being overweight by just 100 grams.
