New Delhi: A tired Vinesh Phogat looked completely exhausted as she fell ill during the felicitation ceremony organised for her in her village upon her return home from Paris following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024. Though the 29-year-old failed to return home with a medal from the Olympics, she was given a hero’s welcome for her heroics at the Paris Games.
Vinesh, who scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, was denied a medal after getting disqualified due to being overweight by 100 grams on the day of her final. Vinesh failed to make weight ahead of her gold medal bout in the women’s 50kg freestyle category and was subsequently disqualified from the competition.
The Indian wrestler’s appeal for a joint silver was also rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) leaving her to return home empty-handed. Nonetheless, Vinesh received a warm welcome at her village in Balali, Haryana where people celebrated her as a champion. The 29-year-old was showered with gifts and also presented with a gold medal by the ‘khap’ panchayat members of her village.
However, the celebrations proved a little too much for Vinesh, who fell ill while attending the felicitation ceremony due to her hectic schedule. In a video shared on social media, the Indian wrestler can be seen reportedly fainting before her fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia comes to his rescue.
PARIS TO BALALI
It’s a hectic day for Vinesh Phogat. She’s traveling more than 20 hrs. #VineshPhogat #ParisOlympics2024 #wrestling #Paris2024 #ParisOlympics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/ZC5vEl8jYh
— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) August 17, 2024
Vinesh Phogat wants more wrestlers to emerge from her village Balali
Overwhelmed after the grand reception and love from her supporters, Vinesh urged the people of her village Balali to support the upcoming generation of female wrestlers. The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Asian Games champion, Vinesh said she would like to train the future wrestling stars from her village and ensure they take her place for India.
“It would be disappointing if no wrestler emerged from this village. We have paved the way, given hope with our achievements. I request you all to support the women in this village. They need your support, hope and trust if they have to replace us in future,” Vinesh said.
“They can achieve a lot. All they need is your support. I will always be indebted to this nation, this village for giving me so much love and respect,” she added.
Despite missing out on a medal at the Paris Olympics, Vinesh won hearts with her heroics as she defeated the ‘undefeated’ Yui Susaki of Japan in her opening bout before beating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarter-final and Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-final to create history by entering into the final.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat looed exhausted as she fell ill during the felicitation ceremony organised for her in her village. Vinesh received a grand reception at her village after her return home from the Paris Olympics 2024. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
