Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia Welcome Vinesh Phogat at Delhi Airport After Paris Olympics Heartbreak

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Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, returned to India on Saturday, marking her first arrival on home soil after a challenging and emotional journey at the Paris Olympics 2024.

The wrestler, who had a tumultuous time in Paris, was greeted by an overwhelming show of support and love at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi, where fellow wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with a large crowd of supporters, gathered to welcome her back home.

Phogat’s Olympics campaign was marred by an unfortunate incident that led to her disqualification from the 50 kg gold medal bout. On the morning of the highly anticipated final, during the official weigh-in, Vinesh was found to be 100 grams overweight, leading to her disqualification from the match.

This unexpected turn of events left the wrestling community and her supporters in shock. Despite this setback, Vinesh didn’t give up. She appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal, challenging the decision of the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). However, her petition was dismissed on Wednesday, adding to the heartbreak.

As Vinesh arrived in Delhi, the IGI Airport was abuzz with excitement and anticipation. A large number of fans and supporters had gathered, eager to show their support for the wrestler who has brought pride to the nation on numerous occasions. The atmosphere was electric, turning her return into a celebratory event despite the recent disappointment.

Among the crowd were two of India’s other wrestling stalwarts, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, who were present to personally welcome Vinesh back home. Their presence was a strong show of solidarity within the wrestling community

Earlier, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik arrived outside the airport to receive the wrestler. Vinesh got tremendous support in India, with athletes and fans calling the ruling unfair and unjust.

However, when she landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on August 17, she was welcomed by a huge number of fans, including wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia. The sight of these three champions together portrays a powerful image, symbolizing the unity of Indian wrestlers in the face of adversity.