Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat recently disqualified from the 50-kg final at the Paris Olympics, was honored with a gold medal by the Sarvkhap Panchayat in Haryana on Sunday. At the felicitation event, Phogat made a powerful statement: “My fight has not ended; it has rather just begun. The fight for our daughters’ honour has just started. We said the same thing during our sit-in.”
Phogat has been a prominent figure in the struggle against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, over allegations of sexual harassment. Alongside other wrestlers, mostly from Haryana, she played a crucial role in bringing attention to the issue.
Reflecting on her disqualification in Paris, Phogat shared her initial disappointment but emphasized how the overwhelming support she received upon returning to India made her feel “very fortunate.” She expressed deep gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her by the Khap Panchayat, stating, “I will forever be indebted for this honour which is above any medal.”
Phogat’s words were meant to inspire other female athletes, reassuring them that their communities will stand by them, even in challenging times.
Earlier, Vinesh received a hero’s welcome on her return to India, with hundreds of supporters gathering at IGI airport to greet her. Accompanied by her husband, Somvir Rathi, and Congress MP Deepender Hooda, Phogat was met with the beats of ‘dhol’ and cheers from fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, along with panchayat leaders. The outpouring of love and respect, she said, was “better than winning 1,000 Olympic medals.”
Phogat’s disqualification in Paris due to being 100 grams overweight was a heartbreaking moment, but the support from her community has only strengthened her resolve to continue her fight, both on and off the wrestling mat.
Read Now:GCA and AfDB Collaborate to Enhance Maritime Infrastructure Resilience in Comoros
