Last Updated:
Vinesh Phogat’s hopes of competing at the Asian Games took a major hit after the Delhi High Court declined immediate relief against WFI’s selection policy.
Vinesh Phogat (X)
Vinesh Phogat’s hopes of making it to this year’s Asian Games suffered a major setback on Monday after the Delhi High Court declined to grant her immediate relief ahead of the upcoming selection trials.
The two-time World Championships bronze medallist and Olympian has challenged the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) new Asian Games selection policy, which effectively bars her from competing in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.
The Context
Phogat’s career has been clouded by uncertainty ever since her heartbreaking disqualification from the women’s 50kg gold-medal bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics after she was found 100 grams overweight.
The emotional fallout led the Haryana wrestler to announce her retirement before she later entered politics and won the Julana constituency election the same year.
Now 31, Vinesh is attempting a comeback, but the road back has turned messy.
The WFI recently barred her from competing until June 26 and ruled her ineligible for the National Open Ranking Tournament held in Gonda from May 10-12.
The federation also issued a detailed 15-page show-cause notice accusing her of indiscipline, anti-doping-related violations and bringing Indian wrestling into disrepute following the Paris Olympics controversy.
Why Vinesh Phogat Moved Court
In her fresh plea before the Delhi HC, Phogat challenged both the WFI’s February 25 selection policy and a May 6 circular tied specifically to the 2026 Asian Games trials.
Under the policy, only wrestlers who won medals in either 2025 or 2026 are eligible to participate in the trials. The federation also clarified that “past performance will not be considered”, a clause Phogat argued unfairly excluded her despite her decorated career.
Phogat’s petition described the criteria as “arbitrary in design and discriminatory in effect,” especially considering her recent sabbatical and pregnancy.
She also challenged a 15-page show-cause notice issued by the WFI on May 9.
What Happens Next?
According to the Indian ExpressSenior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, appearing for Phogat, urged the court to allow her provisional participation in the trials pending the outcome of the case.
The court, however, said it first needed to examine the policy and hear all sides before granting any interim relief.
Notices have now been issued to the WFI, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Indian Olympic Association.
The matter will next be heard on July 6.
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
