Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat broke down after receiving a grand welcome at the IGI airport in Delhi on Saturday morning. The grappler has returned back to her nation after an inspirational performance at the Paris Olympics 2024.
A big crowd gathered at the Delhi airport to welcome Vinesh back at home. She met her fellow wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and was visibly emotional after meeting them. She then got in a car, broke down standing at the sunroof after this welcome, and wiped her eyes as the cameras caught her getting emotional.
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Vinesh also gave a short statement to the media upon arrival while still being emotional. "I thank all the countrymen, I am very fortunate," Vinesh told the media after arriving in Delhi. She was greeted with garlands at the airport. After receiving Vinesh, wrestlers Bajrang and Sakshi also spoke to the media. "The countrymen are giving her tremendous love, you can see how the country welcomed her," Bajrang told the media.
"What Vinesh has done for the country, very few people do it. She should get more respect and appreciation," Sakshi said for the wrestler. Sakshi's husband, Satyawart Kadian, who is also a wrestler questioned why Vinesh fought under the 50kg category and not in 53kg. "Vinesh was, is and will remain a fighter. She is a champion for us and we are leaving no stone unturned to welcome her like a champion. We are treating her as a gold medalist. She used to compete in the 53 kg category, why did she compete in the 50 kg category? This a big question as to what was the reason she shifted to the 50 Kg category," he said at the airport.
Congress MP Deepender Hooda said, "People are encouraging her (Vinesh Phogat) and the whole country is proud of its daughter."
The grappler will now travel to her native village in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, where her family and known people will welcome her.
Vinesh recently announced retirement from wrestling but has shared an open letter on Friday, hinting at a possible return to the sport. She said she could have played the sport till 2032 in some different circumstances but can't predict what the future holds.
