On Saturday, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat returned home to a resounding welcome in New Delhi. Thousands of people showed their unwavering support for her by congregating outside the IGI Airport. Leaders of the panchayats, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia greeted Vinesh, who suffered a sad disqualification at the Paris Olympics after qualifying for the final.

Vinesh became the first female wrestler from India to qualify for the Olympic final on August 6. But the next day, before the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final, Vinesh was disqualified at the morning weigh-in because she weighed 100 grams excess, and therefore she was not awarded a medal. The devastated 29-year-old declared her retirement, but he later attempted to overturn the ruling by appealing for a shared silver medal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United World Wrestling (UWW). In a decision on Wednesday, the court's Sole Arbitrator rejected the application.

On Saturday, Vinesh was heavily garlanded at the airport, where she broke down in tears at the sight of the support she received from her fans. She then stood in an open Jeep that made its way through the national capital amid thick security in her native village, Balali, in Haryana.

Vinesh Phogat's homecoming was a powerful reminder that in sports, as in life, success is not only measured by medals but by the hearts you touch along the way. For Vinesh, the reception in Delhi was a testament to the love and respect she has earned from her countrymen, making her a true champion in every sense of the word.