Advertisment

'A champion for the ages' - From Alia Bhatt to Vicky Kaushal, celebs lauds Vinesh Phogat after her shocking Paris Olympics exit

India's hopes were shattered when Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her 50 kg weight category for being just 100 grams overweight.

author-image
Shubham Shekhar
New Update
Vinesh Phogat (Source: Google)

Vinesh Phogat (Source: X)

Listen to this article
0.75x 1x 1.5x
00:00 / 00:00

In a devastating turn of events at the Paris Olympics 2024, India's hopes were shattered when Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her 50 kg weight category for being just 100 grams overweight. The news spread like wildfire, igniting an outpouring of emotions and reactions from across the country.

Among the many voices expressing their sorrow and support were some of India's most prominent celebrities, who took to social media to stand by the wrestling star. At the forefront of these reactions was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose heartfelt tweet resonated with millions.

Modi praised Phogat, calling her "a champion among champions" and "India's pride." He acknowledged the pain of her setback, expressing his deep sense of despair. Yet, in his message, he also emphasized Phogat's resilience, urging her to "come back stronger."

Bollywood was also quick to rally behind Phogat, with actors like Alia Bhatt, Samantha Prabhu, Vicky Kaushal, Huma Qureshi, Arjun  Rampal, and Rahul Dholakia sharing their thoughts on the shocking disqualification.

Huma Qureshi voiced her disbelief, pleading for a way to allow Phogat to compete. Arjun Rampal, equally stunned, questioned the fairness of the decision, expressing hope that it could be overturned. Rahul Dholakia, on the other hand, succinctly captured the sentiment of many with his words: "Heartbreaking #VineshPhogat - you are our Heroine #1."

Elvish Yadav hints towards inconsistencies

The controversy surrounding Phogat's disqualification was further highlighted by social media influencer Elvish Yadav, who drew attention to what he perceived as inconsistencies in the competition's criteria. He pointed out the apparent disparity between Phogat's disqualification and other developments in the Olympics, raising questions about the integrity of the evaluation process.

Support for Phogat continued to pour in from the sports community, with Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra expressing his sorrow. He reminded everyone that one doesn't need a gold medal to be a true champion, a sentiment echoed by many.

Bollywood icons like Preity Zinta, Alia Bhatt, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu also expressed their unwavering support. Zinta's message was filled with empathy and encouragement, telling Phogat that she is "pure Gold to every Indian" and reminding her that tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

Alia Bhatt, in an emotional Instagram story, hailed Phogat as an "inspiration to the entire nation," praising her resilience and courage. Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared a powerful image of Vinesh Phogat, commending her ability to persist despite the challenges and assuring her that she is never alone.

Here are some reactions:  

Alia BhattVicky Kaushal

Paris Olympics Olympics Vinesh Phogat
Advertisment