Vinesh Phogat In Tears After Landing In India Post-Paris Olympics Disqualification – WATCH VIDEO

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified before her women's 50kg final for being overweight. She appealed the decision at CAS, but it was dismissed.

New Delhi: Vinesh Phogat couldn’t hold back her tears after the Indian wrestler landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday. The champion wrestler, who became the first Indian female to qualify for an Olympic final, was disqualified before her women’s 50kg final bout for being just 100gms overweight. Although she filed an appeal before the Court of Arbitration (CAS) demanding she be given atleast a silver medal, it was dismissed.

On Saturday, there was a thick security cover for Vinesh. She had to stay back in Paris after she had appealed to the CAS which was eventually dismissed on Wednesday. London Olympics bronze medal-winning shooter Gagan Narang, who was the chief de mission of the Indian contingent in Paris, called her a champion, posting a photo with Phogat at the Paris airport. Both of them were on the same flight to Delhi.

#WATCH | Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat breaks down as she arrives at Delhi’s IGI Airport from Paris after participating in the #Olympics2024Paris. pic.twitter.com/ec73PQn7jG

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2024

Besides, Vinesh family including her brother and mother, fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik too came at the IGI Airport to receive their champion. “I thank all the countrymen,” Vinesh told reporters. Meanwhile, 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist, Sakshi said, “What Vinesh has done for the country, very few people do it. She should get more respect and appreciation. She tried her best for the medal.”

#WATCH | Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat says, “I thank all the countrymen, I am very fortunate.”

She received a warm welcome at Delhi’s IGI Airport after she arrived here from Paris after participating in the #Olympics2024Paris. pic.twitter.com/6WDTk8dejO

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2024

Punia, a bronze medal winner in 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said, “The countrymen are giving her tremendous love, you can see how the country welcomed her.” Meanwhile, it was Punia, who had informed on social media about Vinesh’s arrival. Earlier, during an interaction with the athletes at his residence on August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “Vinesh became the first Indian (women) to reach the finals in wrestling, which is a matter of great pride for all of us.”

Heavily garlanded, Vinesh stood in an open Jeep and thanked all the supporters. The huge caravan will follow Vinesh to her village Balali in Haryana. “She came as a champion on day 1 into the games village and she will always remain our champion. Sometimes one doesn’t need an Olympic medal to inspire a billion dreams.. @vineshphogat you have inspired generations. Salute to your grit,” Narang posted on X.

“Vinesh is returning to the country. People have come here at the (Delhi) airport to welcome her. People are also waiting to welcome her at our village. People are exciting to meet Vinesh and encourage her,” her brother Harvinder Phogat said.