Vinesh Phogat, the celebrated Indian wrestler, recently returned home to her native village of Balali in Haryana after an impressive campaign at the Paris Olympics. Despite the heartbreak of disqualification due to being slightly overweight, her village welcomed her with open arms and exuberant celebrations that continued past midnight.
Vinesh Phogat visits her hometown
Vinesh landed at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where her family members, fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, and a large crowd of fans greeted her. Overwhelmed by the rousing reception, she shed tears of joy, declaring it better than a thousand gold medals.
Vinesh’s performance in the Paris Olympics was historic. She became the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for an Olympic final. Her remarkable feat could have secured India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in wrestling if not for the disqualification.
Balali, the village home to the famous Phogat wrestling family (also featured in the movie “Dangal”), erupted in celebration. Vinesh was greeted by a crowd of 1,000 villagers, including her brother Harvinder and mother Premlata. She received garlands (some made with banknotes), took selfies with fans, and attended numerous felicitation ceremonies. The celebrations continued until 1 am on Sunday morning.
विनेश फोगाट इस रात को जगमगाते हुए अपने गाँव पहुँचीं तो क्या ख़ूब बोलीं! उन्हें गोल्ड भी मिलता तो क्या ऐसा स्वागत होता? @Phogat_Vinesh #विनेश_फोगट pic.twitter.com/eK5vKwxgHj
— Tribhuvan (@tribhuvun) August 17, 2024
Despite exhaustion, Vinesh expressed her gratitude for the love and support she received. She vowed to fight for the honour of women and her village, emphasizing that she felt lucky to be born in Balali.
In the face of adversity, Vinesh Phogat’s homecoming exemplifies resilience, community spirit, and unwavering pride. Balali celebrates its hero, recognizing her indomitable spirit and contribution to Indian wrestling.
Also Read: The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) is set for a new season with innovative features
