"More Than 1000 Olympic Gold Medals": Vinesh Phogat's Emotional Homecoming - Watch
Vinesh Phogat on Saturday received a grand welcome on her return to the country and after being feted by several supporters and 'khap panchayats' en route to her village Balali, the celebrated wrestler said it was better than winning 1000 Olympic medals. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the IGI airport here and welcomed Vinesh to the beats of 'dhol' when she made her way out with husband Somvir Rathi and Congress MP Deepender Hooda around 10:30am. Fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and panchayat leaders received Vinesh, who endured a heartbreaking exit at the Paris Olympics where she was disqualified for being overweight by 100 grams on the day of her 50kg final.
Heavily garlanded, Vinesh stood in an open Jeep and thanked all the supporters. Hooda accompanied Vinesh and offered her sweets.
VIDEO | Wrestler Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) receives a rousing welcome upon her arrival at her native village in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. pic.twitter.com/v3jEHeSp7f
There was a thick security cover around Vinesh.
Her caravan left for her native village Balali in Haryana and on the way she met her supporters who were stationed at different spots.
Hooda presented a mace, a 'symbol of victory' to Vinesh, who got emotional and was consoled by Somvir.
In a series of posts on social media, Hooda praised the 29-year-old Vinesh for her fighting spirit.
"In our eyes, you have been a winner in the past and will remain so in the future too. Your courage, struggle and determination have not only won the hearts of crores of countrymen but you are an inspiration to crores of youth of the country," read one of his tweets.
A group of around 50 supporters followed her jeep. They offered prayers at a temple in Delhi's Dwarka before