Vinesh Phogat receives heroic homecoming, says it's worth 1,000 Olympic gold medals

Wrestling champion Vinesh Phogat was greeted with a grand homecoming on Saturday upon her return to India.

Following her disqualification at the Paris Olympics, she was welcomed by hundreds of supporters and honored by various 'khap panchayats' as she journeyed back to her village, Balali. The outpouring of love and respect, she said, was more valuable than winning a thousand Olympic gold medals.

Phogat arrived at Delhi’s IGI Airport around 10:30 a.m., where she was met with a massive crowd of supporters, including fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Congress MP Deepender Hooda. To the beats of 'dhol,' Vinesh, accompanied by her husband Somvir Rathi, emerged from the airport heavily garlanded. Hooda, who also offered her sweets, joined Vinesh in an open jeep as they made their way through the crowd, thanking everyone for their support.

The wrestler's convoy, flanked by tight security, traveled from Delhi to her native village in Haryana. Along the way, they stopped at various locations, where Vinesh was celebrated by local panchayats. Hooda, at one point, presented her with a mace, symbolizing victory, which brought the wrestler to tears. Her husband Somvir was there to console her.

In a series of social media posts, Hooda praised Vinesh's resilience and determination, calling her an inspiration to millions of Indian youth. He emphasized that, despite her Olympic setback, she remains a champion in the eyes of the nation.

Vinesh's convoy made stops in Dhankot, Badli, Jahajgarh, Loharwada, Ghasoula, and Mandoula, with supporters following her in a procession. They even offered prayers at a temple in Delhi's Dwarka before continuing their journey. The journey from Delhi to Balali, which normally takes a few hours, stretched over 12 hours due to the numerous celebrations along the way.

Despite the heartbreak of her disqualification in Paris for being overweight by just 100 grams, Vinesh remained overwhelmed by the love and respect shown by her supporters. "So what if they didn't give me the gold medal? The people here have given me that," she said emotionally in Badli.

Bajrang Punia echoed her sentiments, thanking the nation for their support and acknowledging that the respect Vinesh received was far greater than any medal could bring. London Olympics bronze medalist shooter Gagan Narang, who was the Chef de Mission for the Indian contingent in Paris, also expressed his admiration for Vinesh, calling her a champion who has inspired generations.

Vinesh’s family, including her brother Harvinder and mother Premlata, expressed their pride and love for her. Although they had hoped for a gold medal, they remain proud of her achievements and the recognition she received from her community.

In her first public statement after the disqualification, Vinesh expressed uncertainty about her future in wrestling. While she once imagined competing until 2032, she now feels that things may never be the same again. In an emotional social media post, she reflected on her childhood dreams, the challenges she faced after losing her father, and the support she received throughout her journey.