Overwhelmed by the reception at the airport, Vinesh was reduced to tears at the airport, eventually consoled by Bajrang and Sakshi. The procession, with a number of cars and fans, moves out of the airport and into Haryana. (Express photo)
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat received a heartwarming welcome at the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday. The 29-year-old was disqualified from the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024 after being 100 grams overweight in the 50 KG category for the final.
“I want to thank the people of the country who were supporting us in our fight. Our fight is not over yet,” says Vinesh after arriving at Delhi’s IGI airport following the heartbreak in Paris Olympics Stars such as Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and panchayat leaders received Vinesh
“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. The huge caravan will follow Vinesh to her village Balali in Haryana.
A total of 750 Kg boondi ladoos have been prepared for the villagers and the crowd as well to welcome Vinesh at the Hanuman mandir at the village Balali. The halwais have come from the district headquarters Charkhi Dadri and have been preparing the ladoos since last night.
“The golden ladoos are for the welcome of the golden girl for our village. It’s a huge day for all of us and we are lucky that we have been given a chance to make the ladoos,” says halwai Mandeep Swami tells the Indian Express.
The temple head Ramkumar too is overseeing the preparations. “Hamari beti a rahi hai (our girl is coming). Every moment will be worth the wait for us. More than 10,000 people are expected. Gold ata toh 50,000 ka crowd ata (If she would have won gold medal 50,000 people would have come),” says the 72-year-old added.
Phogat’s later arrival from Paris is as she had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a joint silver which was eventually dismissed on Wednesday.
(With agency inputs)
