Vinesh Phogat, 'bravest girl in the world', comes home to grandest reception - 'Crowdfunded cash reward, 750kgs of desi ghee ladoos'

Despite the unfortunate turn of events in Paris, Balali, Vinesh Phogat's village in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri, was decked in celebration mode.

Moneycontrol News

August 18, 2024 / 17:30 IST

Vinesh Phogat gets a rousing reception at the airport after returning from Paris (PTI)

Vinesh Phogat has had quite an eventful last few days starting from her outing at the Paris Olympics. The wrestler first upstaged former Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan, handing her the first loss of her international career. She followed it with two impressive wins, which took her to the final of the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling competition, also making her the first Indian female to achieve the feat in the discipline at Olympics. However, a day later Vinesh met with an unfortunate fate as she was disqualified from participating further due to an overweight by 100 grams. This snatched Vinesh from her Olympic glory, also forcing her into retirement. However, with a hope that she could be considered for a joint silver, Vinesh appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Upon close examination for almost a week, CAS dismissed the petition, leaving Vinesh shattered as reflected in her long statement shared on Instagram.

But with or without an Olympic medal, Vinesh's story of courage is something that stood out from India's campaign at the Paris Olympics. And on expected lines Vinesh got a rousing reception upon her arrival to India, which was on Saturday morning. Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with hundreds of supporters assembled at the IGI airport in New Delhi to welcome the fallen hero. She received a grand welcome at the airport and even a grander one at her native village Balali in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri in the night. The distance between Delhi to her village is close to 135 kilometers and it approximately takes a little over three hours. However, with throngs of people lined up to catch a glimpse of the wrestler it took her more than 12 hours to reach there from the Delhi airport.

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Despite the unfortunate turn of events in Paris, the village was decked in celebration mode. A report in the Indian Express said villagers crowdfunded a prize money for Vinesh as contributions came in all sizes. A chowkidar (watchman), who has known Vinesh since she was five, contributed Rs 100 rupees, before revealing his connection with the wrestler, whom he now calls the "bravest girl in the world."

“When I used to take my round at night, she would often tell me, ‘uncle, you are so brave’. See now, who turned out to be brave? She is the bravest girl in the world and the strongest too,” the watchman was quoted as saying in the report. Meanwhile, the members of the Fauji Bhaichara group collected a total of Rs 21,000 for the grappler.