“Balali promised, Balali delivered!”- Vinesh Phogat gets gold medal, Here’s how?

New Delhi: After fighting a long and hard-fought battle, Vinesh Phogat has finally returned to India. Even though Vinesh lost the legal battle, she has received a hero’s welcome in the state. Hundreds and thousands of supporters had gathered outside the IGI airport to see the first glimpse of their champion.

As Vinesh made her way back to Balali from Delhi, she was felicitated by the “khap” panchayats in several villages on her 135-km journey.

Vinesh’s story

Vinesh Phogat, India’s freestyle wrestler in the 50kg weight category was able to reach the finals of the freestyle wrestling in the 50kg weight category. However, the Indian wrestler was inches close to the gold medal bout. Subsequently, she was disqualified from the gold medal bout when she was found 100g over the permissible limit which is not allowed.

In the aftermath of this mayhem, Phogat lodged a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport for this unfair ruling. However, the Indian grappler could not get justice from the apex body as the ruling of disqualification stood true.

How did Vinesh get the golden medal?

Vinesh might not have been the golden girl in the eyes of the Olympic committee, she surely is one in the eyes of her countrymen. Upon returning back to her village, in Balali Vinesh was felicitated with a gold medal which had more weightage in Phogat’s eyes than any Olympic medal could have given her.

This was because, Phogat had to struggle to earn her place and respect in the eyes of her countrymen who were raising fingers at her a few months back due to the wrestlers protest. Now, the same countrymen has to bow down their heads in front of a champion.

Balali promised, Balali delivered!

🥇 Vinesh Phogat was presented a gold medal by community elders in her native village. A massive crowd is in attendance despite the felicitation beginning well past midnight.

Follow live updates here ➡️ https://t.co/1TxFIwzxZw pic.twitter.com/4FE6fezqLF

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) August 17, 2024

Phogat expressed her desire to train the women wrestlers in her village so that they can be successful like her and clinch the medal in Olympics which she was unable to do.