My fight has just begun, says Vinesh Phogat , khap honours her with gold medal

Rohtak: Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the 50-kg final match in the recent Paris games, was honoured with a gold medal by the Sarvkhap Panchayat here on Sunday.

"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 said, addressing an event organised to felicitate her.

She was part of the agitation by wrestlers, mostly from Haryana, against the then Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP leader Brijbhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment last year.

"When I could not play in Paris, I thought I was very unfortunate but after returning to India and experiencing all the love and support here, I feel that I am very fortunate," she said.

Phogat said such a gesture will also encourage other women sportspersons that their communities are there to support them even in their lean phase.

"I will forever be indebted for this honour which is above any medal," she added. Phogat, who hails from Haryana's Balali, faced a heartbreaking exit after being disqualified on the day of her 50-kg final match at the Paris Olympics.

Deepender Hooda also met Phogat

Phogat met with Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his family amid speculation that she may join the Congress and contest the October 1 Haryana assembly polls.

"Had a family meeting with the daughter of the country, pride of Haryana, our sister Vinesh Phogat and her husband Somveer Rathi at Delhi residence," the Congress' Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda posted on X after meeting the ace wrestler.

Deepender Hooda's father and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the Rohtak MP's wife Sweta and mother Asha were also present. Deepender Hooda presented Phogat a "Hanuman Gada" as a symbol of victory and said she was an Olympic gold medallist in the eyes of the citizens of the country. The Congress MP sat atop a vehicle along with Phogat and other wrestlers -- Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik -- when they headed for Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, Vinesh's native place, from the national capital.

Last Saturday, Deepender Hooda led a rousing welcome for Phogat, who hails from Haryana's Balali, at the Delhi airport on her arrival from the Paris Olympics, where she faced a heartbreaking exit after being disqualified on the day of her 50-kg final match.

He had vociferously supported an agitation by Phogat and other wrestlers, mostly from Haryana, against the then Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP leader Brijbhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

(Inputs by PTI)