‘I thank all the countrymen, I am very fortunate’: Phogat
North News
New Delhi, August 17
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat received a grand welcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Saturday. Security was tight as Vinesh landed in the capital. The Indian wrestler was disqualified from the 50kg final in the Paris Olympics due to exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams, The Indian Express reported.
Upon reaching Delhi, she expressed her gratitude, saying, “I thank all the countrymen, I am very fortunate.” A video captured Phogat breaking down as she witnessed the crowd celebrating her return. On August 16, Phogat took to X (formerly Twitter) to share insights into her wrestling journey, describing the challenges she and her team faced the night before her big match on August 7. She also expressed gratitude to individuals who supported her, including Dr. Wayne Patrick Lombard, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Woller Akos, Ashwini Jeevan Patil, Taajinder Kaur, the OGQ team, and her Olympic team.
Phogat shared how, under different circumstances, she could have seen herself competing in wrestling until 2032. “Perhaps, under different conditions, I could see myself playing till 2032, since the battle and struggle in me will always be present. I cannot anticipate what the future holds for me or what awaits me on this path, but I am confident that I will continue to fight for what I believe in and what is right,” she wrote on X.
According to media reports, Vinesh Phogat had stayed in Paris until the final verdict on her medal. As of August 17, she has returned to India and was greeted with a grand welcome at Delhi International Airport, where wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were also present to welcome her. Sakshi Malik praised Vinesh’s achievements, stating, “Vinesh’s achievements for the country are amazing and deserve much more praise and appreciation.” Bajrang Punia added, “The nation’s outpouring of love is clear. Simply look at the lovely welcome she received.” Vinesh’s brother, Harvinder Phogat, shared that celebrations are planned from Delhi to Balali, her hometown, with people eager to catch a glimpse of her and cheer her on.
