Vinesh Phogat Returns to India After Emotional Retirement from Wrestling
New Delhi, August 17: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi National Airport to a warm welcome. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “I thank all the countrymen, I am very fortunate.” Vinesh, who hails from Haryana, became emotional and cried during the reception.
Vinesh was disqualified from the 50 kg gold medal bout at the Olympics for being 100 grams overweight. Her petition to be awarded a joint silver was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday. She announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, a day after her disqualification.
A large crowd, including fans, family, and fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, gathered at the airport to welcome the 29-year-old. Her mother, Premlata, said, “The country has given her more honour than the gold medal.” Her brother, Harinder Punia, vowed to work hard to win the Olympic gold next time.
Preparations were underway in Vinesh’s native village, Charkhi Dadri, to celebrate her return. Vinesh was set to face Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States for the gold medal but was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit. Following her disqualification, she appealed for the silver medal, which was denied. Vinesh announced her retirement with an emotional message, saying, “Maa kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024.”
Sarah Ann Hildebrandt won the gold medal in the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling after defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez.
Doubts Revealed
Vinesh Phogat -: Vinesh Phogat is a famous Indian wrestler who has won many medals for India in wrestling competitions.
retirement -: Retirement means stopping work or a career, usually after a long time. Vinesh Phogat decided to stop wrestling.
Indira Gandhi National Airport -: This is a big airport in Delhi, the capital of India, where many international flights land and take off.
disqualified -: Disqualified means not allowed to continue in a competition because of breaking a rule. Vinesh was not allowed to compete because she was a little overweight.
petition -: A petition is a formal request. Vinesh asked for a joint silver medal, but her request was not accepted.
joint silver -: Joint silver means sharing the second-place medal with someone else. Vinesh wanted to share the silver medal with another wrestler.