Vinesh Phogat shares emotional Raksha Bandhan gift: Brother's 'entire life's earnings'

Since returning to India from the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat has been welcomed with immense affection. Following a disappointing disqualification from the women’s 50kg wrestling final, Vinesh arrived in India to a warm reception at New Delhi airport. Thousands celebrated her as she traveled to Babali, her family’s hometown.

On Raksha Bandhan, Vinesh posted a heartfelt update on social media, revealing a bundle of Rs 500 notes from her brother. “I’m nearly 30 years old. Last year, he gave me Rs 500. And now, he’s given me this (pointing to the money). He’s earned this much in his entire life (jokingly),” Vinesh shared, causing both her and her brother to smile.

During her journey from Delhi to Balali, Vinesh was honored by supporters and local 'khap' panchayats. The 135 km trip took around 13 hours due to the numerous celebrations along the way.



The reception was a stark contrast to the disappointment she faced at the Olympics, where her disqualification for being overweight sparked outrage in India and the wrestling community. Her appeal against the disqualification was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Arriving in her village around midnight, Vinesh was greeted with tears and smiles from friends and neighbors, who praised her courage. Despite her exhaustion, she addressed the crowd and expressed hope for future wrestlers from Balali to surpass her achievements.

“It would be disheartening if no one from this village took up wrestling. We’ve set a path with our success and given hope. I urge everyone to support the women here. They need your encouragement to succeed in the future,” Vinesh said.

She emphasized her gratitude for the love and support she has received, stating, “Whatever I’ve learned in wrestling, whether it’s due to God’s grace or my hard work, I want to share it with the girls from this village. I hope they achieve even greater heights than me.”

Before reaching Balali, Vinesh had expressed her determination to continue her fight against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). “Thank you to everyone who supported us. Life is a struggle, and our fight isn’t over. We will continue, and with God’s grace, the truth will prevail,” she said.

In a brief interaction with the press in Balali, she reflected on the deep wound of her Olympic disappointment but remained resolute about her future. “I’m unsure about pursuing wrestling further, but I want to use the courage I’ve gained today in the right direction,” she concluded.