World No. 1, 82-0 Record: Meet The Opponents Vinesh Phogat Beat In Women's 50kg Freestyle Wrestling At Paris Olympics 2024

15.08.2024 - 09:16 sports.ndtv.com

India's star wrestler Vinesh Phogat was on cusp of history in the women's freestyle 50kg category at Paris Olympics 2024, after two giant-killing victories in the Round of 16 and quarter-final.

Vinesh beat two titans of 50kg wrestling: Japan's Yui Susaki and Ukraine's Oksana Livach. In the semi-final, she beat Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez.

However, before her final bout, Vinesh Phogat, the 29-year-old was disqualified from the women's 50kg free-style final for being 100gm overweight at the time of weigh-in.

Vinesh, who was making her third Olympic appearance here, announced her retirement from the sport a day after her disqualification, saying that she doesn't have the strength to continue.

wrestling Olympics 2024 Olympics Medals Tally Paris Olympics Vinesh Phogat Ukraine Japan India Cuba

Ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat couldn't be rewarded with a medal despite her progression to the final of the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Vinesh's disqualification from the vent, owing to a failed weigh-in by just 100 grams, left the entire India heartbroken. Hopes of being honoured with a silver medal did arise after Vinesh challenged the decision at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), but that verdict also went against her. Though the Paris Games produced quite a dramatic and bitter turn in her career, Vinesh is still seen as a winner back home.

Watch: Vinesh Phogat Gets Gold Medal On Return To Village From Paris Olympics 2024

Celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday received a grand welcome on her return to India. Hundreds of supporters gathering outside the IGI airport, showing immense solidarity with Vinesh, who was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final at the Olympics. After this, a bigger crowd followed her during a roadshow. On her way to Balali from Delhi, Vinesh was felicitated by her supporters and 'khap' panchayats in several villages, with the 135km-long journey taking her almost 13 hours on Saturday.

Vinesh Phogat Hugs Uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat After Returning From Olympics - Video Goes Viral

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat returned to India on Saturday after her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign and received 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.

"Will Feed Her Churma, Halwa....": Vinesh Phogat's Mother Gets Emotional As Wrestler Returns From Paris

Harvinder and Premlata, the brother and mother of former Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, expressed happiness at her warm welcome back home after Paris Olympics heartbreak, where she became the first Indian woman to reach the final of the wrestling competition but got disqualified for breaching the weight limit. Vinesh arrived at Delhi's Indira Gandhi National Airport on Saturday to a rousing reception.

Vinesh Phogat Arrives In Delhi After Paris Olympics Heartbreak, Security Tightened At Airport

Champion wrestler Vinesh Phogat arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on Saturday following the heartbreak in Paris Olympics where she was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final. There was a thick security cover as Phogat, who was found 100 grams overweight on the day of her bout earlier this month, landed in the national capital. Phogat had to stay back in Paris after she had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a joint silver which was eventually dismissed on Wednesday.

"Matter Of Great Pride": What PM Narendra Modi Said On Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympics 2024 Feat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on wrestler Vinesh Phogat for her scintillating show at the Paris Olympics and becoming the first Indian woman grappler to reach the final. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and greeted the Indian athletes and medal winners of the recently concluded Paris Olympics at his residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in the national capital on Independence Day. While interacting with Indian contingent from the Paris Olympics, PM Modi noted Vinesh's achievement and said, "Vinesh became the first Indian (women) to reach the finals in wrestling, which is a matter of great pride for all of us."