During his journey from Delhi to Balali, Vinesh was felicitated by his supporters and ‘khap’ panchayats in many villages along the way. -village celebration, many supporters have gathered outside the IGI airport to give Vinesh a resounding welcome.
The wrestler had reached the 50kg final at the Olympics but was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit, causing a significant uproar in India and the international wrestling community.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Vinesh’s appeal, upholding his disqualification.
Despite the late arrival in his hometown, the 29-year-old wrestler was greeted with a warm welcome. Neighbors and friends greeted him with mixed emotions, tears of joy and admiration for his bravery.
After an exhausting journey from Paris, Vinesh addressed the assembled crowd before retiring for the night.
The accomplished athlete, who has won two medals at the World Championships, expressed hope that the future wrestlers from Balali will surpass their achievements in the sport.
“It is disappointing that no wrestlers come out of this village. We have paved the way, given hope with achievements, I ask you all to support the women of this village. They need support, hope and trust if they have to change. us in the future front,” Vinesh said, as quoted by PTI.
“He can achieve a lot. All he needs is your support. I will always be indebted to this nation, this village for giving me love and respect.
“Whatever I’ve learned in wrestling, I don’t know what God gave me or my hard work, but whatever I’ve learned, I want to share with my sister from this village and I hope she can reach higher than me.
“Then I can say with pride that he is from my village and I have trained him. I want (my) record to be broken by a wrestler from this village. Thank you to everyone who stayed up all night for me.”
Vinesh, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Asian Games champion, and eight-time Asian Championship medallist, had declared before reaching Balali that his fight against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) would be on.
“I want to thank everyone who supported us in our struggle. Life itself is a struggle. Our fight is not over and it will continue,” said Vinesh.
Later addressing the press in Balali, he reiterated his determination.
“This Olympic medal is a deep wound. I don’t know how long it will take to heal. I don’t know if I will pursue wrestling or not, but the kind of courage I got today, I want to use it in the right direction,” he added.
“We have been fighting a war for a year. It will continue and with the grace of God, the truth will prevail,” he said in a brief interaction.
During the sit-in at Jantar Mantar, Vinesh, along with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malikspent months protesting in the streets.
He accused the WFI leaders, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singhof sexually harassing female wrestlers. The trio were chased away as they tried to advance towards the new Parliament building.
The case against Brij Bhushan is currently being heard by a Delhi court.
Vinesh said that the warm welcome he received upon his arrival would give him the courage to pick up the pieces and move on with his life.
“When I get the love of my Indian friends, village and family members, I will give myself the courage to heal this wound. Maybe, I can return to wrestling,” said 29-year-old Vinesh.
“Losing the Olympic medal is the biggest wound in my life. I don’t know how long it will take to heal this wound. I want to use it in the right direction,” he added.
Vinesh expresses his uncertainty, saying that he doesn’t know if he “deserves love and respect.”
“But I feel very lucky to be born in this village. I will always fight for the honor of women and this village.”
Vinesh has announced his retirement from the sport after being disqualified.
In an emotional post on social media, Vinesh shared his childhood dreams, the hardships he faced after losing his father, and also noted the contributions people made during his incredible journey.
However, he did not mention his uncle Mahavir Phogat, which irritated his siblings Geeta and Babita.
He expressed his disappointment in a veiled social media post.
“The result of the action is simple. Cheats get cheats, if not today then tomorrow,” Geeta wrote in ‘X’ in Hindi and again sent some comments asking if Vinesh forgot to mention his uncle, who started him to the sport.
Geeta’s husband Pawan Saroha, also a wrestler, reminds Vinesh of Mahavir.
“You have written very well but perhaps today you have forgotten your uncle Mahavir Phogat. The one who started your wrestling career. May God give you pure wisdom,” wrote Saroha.
“Every success is a defeat if the only goal is to bring everyone down,” Babita wrote in ‘X’, Saturday.