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Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat returned to a hero's welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Saturday, despite the disappointment of being disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to being overweight.Phogat, who was found to be 100 grams overweight on the day of her 50kg final bout, had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal. However, her appeal was dismissed on Wednesday.Despite the setback, Phogat was greeted by a thick security cover and a crowd of supporters at the airport. London Olympics bronze medal-winning shooter Gagan Narang, who was the chief de mission of the Indian contingent in Paris, hailed Phogat as a champion."She came as a champion on day 1 into the games village and she will always remain our champion. Sometimes one doesn't need an Olympic medal to inspire a billion dreams.. @vineshphogat you have inspired generations. Salute to your grit," Narang posted on social media.Phogat's brother, Harvinder, expressed his pride in his sister's achievements. "Vinesh is returning to the country. People have come here at the (Delhi) airport to welcome her. People are also waiting to welcome her at our village. People are exciting to meet Vinesh and encourage her," he said.Phogat is expected to receive a grand welcome at her native village in Balali, Haryana. Her return to India serves as a reminder of the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes, who continue to inspire the nation even in the face of adversity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hosted retired Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh and his family at his residence on Independence Day. A heartwarming video of the meeting has gone viral on social media, showcasing the Prime Minister's genuine affection for the family.In the video, PM Modi engages in a playful conversation with Sreejesh's son, Sreeansh. Pointing towards his father, the Prime Minister asks, "Ye maarta hai (Does he hit you)?" Sreeansh's affirmative nod elicits laughter from everyone present. The Prime Minister then offers the child a sweet, further endearing himself to the family.Sreejesh, who played a pivotal role in India's historic bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics, was accorded a grand welcome upon his arrival at the international airport in Kochi. The hockey star expressed his gratitude for the enthusiastic reception, describing it as the "cherry on top of the cake."Reflecting on his future plans, Sreejesh revealed that he will spend the next 2-3 months preparing for his transition from player to coach. He acknowledged the challenges of this transition and emphasized the need for mental preparation.Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that saw him establish himself as one of India's greatest goalkeepers. His contributions to the national team have been immense, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of hockey players.

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 Paralympic Contingent Receives Grand Send-Off for Paris GamesThe Indian Paralympic contingent, comprising 84 athletes across 12 disciplines, was accorded a grand send-off ceremony on Friday ahead of the Paris Games scheduled from August 28 to September 8. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) hosted the event to honor the team's dedication and perseverance.Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya lauded the athletes' resilience and determination, stating, "Our para athletes have a remarkable ability to overcome obstacles and turn challenges into opportunities. They have shown remarkable determination and perseverance in their preparation for the Paris Paralympics 2024."Mandaviya emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the athletes, saying, "Many athletes have benefited from the Khelo India initiative, and a significant number from there will be going to the Paris Paralympics. The government is committed to providing them with the resources and support they need to excel at the highest level."PCI president Devendra Jhajharia expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well in Paris, saying, "We are immensely proud of our athletes who have trained with unwavering dedication and passion. As they prepare to represent India on the world's biggest stage in Paris, they embody the spirit of resilience and determination that defines our nation."A special anthem, "Macha Dhoom," composed by renowned music directors Vivek - Abhishek, was launched during the event. Additionally, a commemorative book titled "Breaking the Barriers," authored by Abhishek Dubey and Mahavir Rawat, was unveiled to celebrate the achievements and aspirations of the Indian Paralympic team.The Indian contingent will be competing in archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo at the Paris Paralympics. The team hopes to build on its success at the Tokyo Paralympics, where India won 19 medals.

Indian Paralympians Sumit Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav to Bear the Flag at Paris ParalympicsTokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil and Asian Para Games silver medalist Bhagyashree Jadhav have been chosen as the Indian flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics. The announcement was made by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) chief Devendra Jhajharia."Antil and Bhagyashree have been consistent performers over the years. They will be Indian flag-bearers at the Paris Paralympics' athletes march past," Jhajharia stated.Sumit Antil, a javelin thrower from Haryana, made history at the Tokyo Paralympics by winning the gold medal in the F64 category with a world record throw of 68.55 meters. He continued his winning streak by securing a gold medal at the World Para Championships and breaking his own record at the Asian Para Games with an impressive throw of 73.29 meters.Bhagyashree Jadhav, a shotputter competing in the F34 category, earned a silver medal at the Asian Para Games. She has also achieved success at the FAZZA World Cup.The Indian contingent for the Paris Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, comprises 84 athletes representing 12 disciplines. India's performance at the Tokyo Paralympics was remarkable, with the team bringing home 19 medals.Antil and Jadhav's selection as flag-bearers is a testament to their exceptional achievements and dedication to their sport. Their presence at the head of the Indian contingent will undoubtedly inspire and motivate their fellow athletes.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooting prodigy, has emerged as a beacon of hope for India after her remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics. Having endured the disappointment of Tokyo, Bhaker's journey to redemption has been marked by resilience, determination, and unwavering belief.In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Bhaker shared her insights into the lessons she learned from Tokyo and the strategies she employed to achieve success in Paris. Overcoming her fears and embracing a confident mindset proved crucial. She also emphasized the importance of consistent training and the ability to adapt to different match scenarios.Bhaker's brilliance in the mixed event was a testament to her exceptional skills and the support of her coach, Jaspal Rana. She attributed her success to the meticulous planning and preparation that went into each competition.Reflecting on India's overall performance at Paris, Bhaker acknowledged the talent and potential of Indian athletes. However, she stressed the need for better planning, scouting, and support for young athletes. She believes that grassroots development and early identification of talent are essential for India to close the gap on the top medal winners at the Olympics.Bhaker also highlighted the importance of supporting former Olympians like Saurabh Chaudhary, who she considers the finest shooter she has ever witnessed. She urged authorities to provide opportunities for athletes to regain their form and contribute to India's sporting success.Bhaker's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder that setbacks can be transformed into triumphs with the right mindset and unwavering determination.

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Player Auction witnessed a flurry of high-value acquisitions on its second day, with Ajith V Kumar, Jai Bhagwan, and Arjun Rathi emerging as the most expensive players in their respective categories.Ajith, a Category C player, was snapped up by Puneri Paltan for a whopping ₹66 lakh, while Jai Bhagwan, also in Category C, was acquired by Bengaluru Bulls for ₹63 lakh. In Category D, Arjun was fetched by Bengal Warriorz for ₹41 lakh, while Mohd. Amaan and Stuwart Singh were bought by Puneri Paltan and U Mumba for ₹16.2 lakh and ₹14.2 lakh, respectively.The 12 franchises spent a total of ₹33.7 crores on the second day of the auction, bringing the total expenditure to ₹50.7 crores over the two days. On day one, Sachin Tanwar and Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh had emerged as the costliest buys, with Tamil Thalaivas and Haryana Steelers acquiring them for ₹2.15 crores and ₹2.07 crores, respectively.Anupam Goswami, Head Sports Leagues at Mashal Sports and League Commissioner of PKL, expressed his satisfaction with the auction. "It was remarkable to see Category C players like Ajith V Kumar and Jai Bhagwan attract strong bidding of over 60 Lakh on Day 2," he said. "I am extremely happy to see that all franchises have built well-balanced squads, which promises a highly competitive PKL Season 11."In total, 118 players were sold during the two-day auction, with the 11th season of PKL expected to commence in October this year. Puneri Paltan, the reigning champions, will be looking to defend their title against a host of strong contenders.

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.