Others

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's return to India after her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign was met with an overwhelming reception from the crowd. Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the IGI airport in New Delhi to give a rousing welcome to Vinesh, who was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final at the Olympics. Vinesh's appeal against her disqualification was also rejected by the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).Amid this grand welcome in Delhi, a very heartwarming moment was captured from Vinesh's native village in Haryana. Upon arriving at Balali, Haryana, Vinesh hugged her uncle and mentor Mahavir Singh Phogat, and the duo shared a very emotional moment. During Vinesh's disqualification at the Olympics, Mahavir was constantly extending support to Vinesh.This particular hug between the duo left all the netizens and fans emotional. On August 8, Vinesh penned an emotional note to announce her decision to retire from wrestling. However, after seeing such a warm reception from the fans, she stated that she has got the courage to pick up the threads and get on with life."As I got love from my fellow Indians, my village, and my family members, I guess I would get some courage to make this wound heal. Maybe, I could return to wrestling," Vinesh told the media."I just want to say that missing the Olympic medal is the biggest wound in my life. I don't know how much time it would take to heal this wound. I don't know if I would pursue wrestling or not, but the kind of courage I got today (Saturday), I want to use that in the right direction," she added.Vinesh and fellow Olympians Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have been protesting for more than a year against the Wrestling Federation of India and its former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers."Our fight has not ended, and the fight will continue, and I pray to God that the truth will prevail," said Vinesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent interactions with Indian Olympic medalists have been marked by lighthearted moments and a shared love for traditional Indian delicacies. After his playful "choorma banter" with javelin star Neeraj Chopra, PM Modi engaged in another heartwarming exchange with Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning wrestler Aman Sehrawat.During a meeting with the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence, PM Modi congratulated Sehrawat on becoming India's youngest Olympic medalist. With a broad smile, the Prime Minister inquired if Sehrawat had indulged in any of his favorite foods upon returning from Paris. The 21-year-old Haryana native replied with a smile, "I haven't gone home yet, sir."PM Modi quipped, "You should've told us; we could've made something for you!" Sehrawat, in his typical Haryanvi accent, responded with simplicity, "Once I'm home, I'll definitely have choorma."Sehrawat, who lost his parents at a tender age of 10, trains and resides at New Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium. He defeated Puerto Rico's Darian Toi Cruz 13-5 to win the bronze medal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, extending India's wrestling medal streak at the Olympics since the Beijing Games in 2008.Earlier, PM Modi had a candid moment with silver medalist Neeraj Chopra during an interaction with athletes ahead of their departure for the Paris Games. In a humorous exchange, PM Modi joked, "I haven't received my churma yet," sparking laughter all around.With a shy smile, Chopra replied, "This time I will treat you with churma from Haryana; last time we had the sugary one from Delhi." The Prime Minister eagerly expressed his craving for homemade churma, saying, "I want to savor churma made by your mother."Later, Chopra's mother, Saroj Devi, promised PM Modi that she would send a special 'choorma' for him.

Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat's return to India after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed her appeal for a joint silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked a wave of empathy and support on social media.Phogat, 29, was disqualified from the women's 53kg freestyle final for missing the prescribed weight limit by 100 grams. The news came to light the night before her final match, prompting her to undergo extreme weight-cutting measures for five hours.According to her coach, Woller Akos, Phogat "did everything possible" to make the cut, including drawing blood, limiting her food and water intake, and even cutting her hair.Despite her efforts, Phogat was unable to shed the excess weight and was disqualified. The decision has been met with widespread criticism, with many calling it "inhumane."The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has slammed the regulations as "inhumane" and has said it is "exploring further legal options."Phogat's emotional breakdown at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi has sparked a wave of empathy and support on social media. Thousands have taken to Twitter to express solidarity with the wrestler, hailing her as a "legend" and a symbol of resilience."You are and always will be a legend," posted one Twitter user. Another person added, "Welcome back, Vinesh Phogat champ." A third commented, "A smile emerges amidst the tears and struggle. Vinesh Phogat returns home."Phogat was welcomed by medal-winning athletes, including Rio Games medallist Sakshi Malik and Tokyo Olympics medallist Bajrang Punia. Her family, well-wishers, and political leaders were also present at the airport for her welcome party.Phogat's disqualification has raised questions about the weight-cutting practices in wrestling. Many experts have called for changes to the regulations to prevent wrestlers from resorting to extreme measures to make weight.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a heartbreaking disqualification and subsequent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Despite the setbacks, Phogat's resilience and determination have shone through, earning her the admiration and support of the nation.Upon her arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Phogat was greeted by a throng of cheering fans and a thick security cover. Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears, consoled by teammates Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik.Phogat's disqualification stemmed from being found 100 grams overweight on the day of her historic gold medal bout in the women's 50kg wrestling. Despite her impressive victories in the previous rounds, including a triumph over four-time world champion Yui Susaki of Japan, her podium finish was nullified.Undeterred, Phogat and her team appealed to CAS for a joint silver medal. However, after several deferrals, CAS ultimately ruled against her plea. In an emotional social media post, Phogat expressed her disappointment and the hardships she had faced throughout her journey.Despite the setback, Phogat has hinted at a possible return to wrestling. "Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032," she wrote. "I can't predict what the future holds for me, but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in."Phogat's unwavering spirit and the outpouring of support she has received serve as a testament to her indomitable character. While her Olympic dream may have been cut short, her legacy as a champion and an inspiration to countless young athletes remains intact.

Vinesh Phogat, the former Indian wrestler, has opened up about her journey in life and wrestling after her plea for an Olympic medal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and her subsequent retirement announcement.Growing up in a small village, Vinesh had simple dreams of long hair and a mobile phone. However, her father's aspirations for her to excel in wrestling and her mother's unwavering support shaped her path. After her father's untimely demise and her mother's cancer diagnosis, Vinesh and her siblings faced adversity head-on.Her mother's resilience and determination instilled in Vinesh a fighting spirit. She credits her husband, Somvir, as her constant companion and unwavering supporter. Vinesh acknowledges the challenges she faced over the past two years, but expresses gratitude for the support of those around her.Vinesh expresses her appreciation for the medical team that supported her through multiple surgeries and injuries. She highlights the expertise of Dr. Dinshaw Pandiwala, Dr. Wayne Patrick Lombard, and Ashwini Jeevan Patil. She also acknowledges the guidance of her personal coach, Woller Akes, who helped her overcome self-doubt.Vinesh emphasizes the importance of nutrition and thanks her nutritionist, Tajinder Kaur, for her support in managing her weight loss. She also commends the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) team for their unwavering support during her injuries and struggles.Vinesh expresses her admiration for Gagan Narang, India's Chef-de-Mission for the Paris Olympics, and the Olympic support staff. She notes the kindness and empathy she experienced from them.Reflecting on the wrestlers' protest, Vinesh states that she fought to protect the sanctity of women and the Indian flag. She expresses her disappointment at not being able to fulfill her dream of winning an Olympic medal and representing the values of the Indian flag.Despite the setbacks, Vinesh remains determined to continue fighting for what she believes in. She acknowledges that her journey may not be the same, but she will always strive for excellence.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has hinted at a possible reversal of her retirement decision in a lengthy social media post, two days after her appeal for a joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics was denied.In her post, Phogat expressed regret over her hasty retirement announcement, which she made after being disqualified from the women's 50kg freestyle final at the Tokyo Games. She acknowledged that she could have continued wrestling until 2032 "under different circumstances.""Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there," said the 29-year-old. "I can't predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing."Phogat's retirement announcement had shocked the wrestling community, as she is one of India's most decorated wrestlers. She has won multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, and World Championships.Her decision to reconsider her retirement is a welcome development for Indian wrestling. Phogat is a role model for young wrestlers and her continued presence in the sport would inspire a new generation of athletes.It remains to be seen whether Phogat will officially withdraw her retirement announcement. However, her latest post suggests that she is open to the possibility of continuing her wrestling career.

Vinesh Phogat, India's wrestling star, has finally broken her silence on the heartbreaking disqualification that shattered her Olympic dreams at the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat, who made history as the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling final at the Olympics, was disqualified on the morning of her event on August 7 due to being 100 grams overweight.The disqualification sent shockwaves through the Indian sporting community, and Phogat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal. However, their appeal was dismissed, leaving Phogat devastated.From August 7 to August 15, Phogat remained silent about her ordeal. But on Friday, she finally broke her long silence with a three-page post on social media. In her post, Phogat opened up about the significance of the Paris Olympics for her and the reasons behind her disqualification."During the wrestlers protest, I was fighting hard to protect the sanctity of women in India, the sanctity and values of our Indian flag," Phogat wrote. "But when one looks at the pictures of me with the Indian flag from 28th May 2023, it haunts me. It was my wish to have the Indian flag fly high this Olympics, to have a picture of the Indian flag with me that truly represents its value and restores its sanctity."Phogat added that she refused to surrender to the circumstances. "There is so much more to say and so much more to tell, but words will never be enough," she wrote. "On the night of 6th August and the morning of 7th August, all I want to say is that we did not give up, our efforts did not stop, and we did not surrender, but the clock stopped and the time was not fair."Phogat's disqualification has raised questions about the fairness of the weight-cutting process in wrestling. Phogat has alleged that she was not given proper time to rehydrate after the weigh-in, which contributed to her being overweight.Despite the setback, Phogat remains determined to continue fighting for what she believes in. "I can't predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next, but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing," she wrote.

The Delhi High Court has reinstated the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) ad hoc committee to oversee the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The decision came in response to a plea filed by renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian.The court's interim order overturned the IOA's dissolution of the ad hoc committee, which was formed after the WFI's elections in December 2023. The court held that the IOA's decision was incompatible with the Union Sports Ministry's suspension of the WFI following the elections.Justice Sachin Datta rejected the petitioners' request to appoint a retired high court or Supreme Court judge as the WFI administrator. Instead, the court allowed the IOA to reconstitute the ad hoc committee with eminent sportspersons or experts who have experience in dealing with international federations.The wrestlers had protested at Jantar Mantar last year, demanding the arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment. They subsequently filed a petition in the high court to annul the WFI elections.The Sports Ministry suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023, for allegedly violating its constitution. The IOA then formed an ad hoc committee to manage the WFI's affairs. However, the United World Wrestling (UWW) lifted the suspension in February, prompting the IOA to dissolve its ad hoc committee on March 18.The court ruled that the UWW's lifting of the ban was unrelated to the Sports Ministry's suspension order and the formation of the ad hoc committee. It also stated that the Sports Ministry should not have adopted a passive approach that undermined its own orders.The court emphasized that the ad hoc committee will continue to manage the WFI's affairs until the Sports Ministry's suspension order is reviewed or recalled. It also noted that the Paris Olympic Games are over, and there is no reason for the ministry to delay a decision on the suspension order.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic heartbreak took a dramatic turn as her coach, Woller Akos, revealed the harrowing ordeal she endured the night before the 50kg final at the Paris Olympics 2024.After an inspiring victory over reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the quarterfinals, Vinesh faced a grueling weight-cut session. For five hours, she and her coaching staff desperately tried to shed 100 grams of excess weight. Despite cutting her hair and drawing blood, Vinesh's weight remained stubbornly high.As the clock ticked down, Akos and his team resorted to extreme measures. From midnight to 5:30 AM, Vinesh underwent intense cardio and wrestling drills, collapsing at one point. She spent an hour in the sauna, but not a drop of sweat appeared."I don't intentionally write dramatic details, but I only remember thinking that she might die," Akos wrote in a now-deleted post.Vinesh was eventually hospitalized, and her disqualification from the final sent shockwaves through the Indian wrestling contingent and the nation.Despite the crushing disappointment, Vinesh remained positive. "Coach, don't be sad because you told me that if I find myself in any difficult situation and need extra energy, I should think that I beat the best woman wrestler in the world," she told Akos. "I achieved my goal, I proved that I am one of the best in the world."Vinesh's disqualification meant she would not receive a silver medal, leading to her retirement announcement. Her team appealed to the CAS, but their plea was dismissed.Akos's revelation sheds light on the extreme sacrifices athletes make in pursuit of Olympic glory. Vinesh's ordeal serves as a reminder of the physical and mental toll that elite competition can take.