Vinesh Phogat, the celebrated Indian wrestler, found a moment of joy on Monday as she celebrated Raksha Bandhan with her brother, offering a heartwarming glimpse into a period of relief after a challenging phase in her career. The athlete, who recently faced disqualification from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the Paris Olympics, shared a light-hearted moment with her sibling during the festivities.
Vinesh’s Olympic journey took a harsh turn when she was disqualified due to exceeding the weight limit by a mere 100 grams, a mishap that cost her a potential medal. In the aftermath, Vinesh and her team filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal, but the plea was ultimately denied.
Charkhi Dadri, Haryana: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat celebrates Raksha Bandhan with her brother in their village Balali pic.twitter.com/YgahqHmDPq
— IANS (@ians_india) August 19, 2024
Returning to India on Saturday after a tense wait in Paris for the CAS verdict, Vinesh was met with an emotional welcome at the Delhi airport. Fans and family members gathered to show their support, visibly touching the athlete. A special felicitation ceremony followed, with wrestling legend Mahavir Phogat among those who honored Vinesh for her remarkable achievements, despite the recent setback.
On Monday, Vinesh joined in the nationwide celebration of Raksha Bandhan, a festival symbolizing the bond between brothers and sisters. A video circulating on social media captured Vinesh in a playful mood, engaging in a light-hearted exchange with her brother about his monetary gift, humorously comparing it to previous years.
The festive celebration provided a brief respite for Vinesh, allowing her to enjoy the warmth of her family and the support of her fans, even as she navigates through a difficult period in her career.