Vinesh Phogat’s Comeback Faces Opposition From Fellow Wrestlers: Report

Last Updated:May 18, 2026, 6:16 PM IST

Vinesh Phogat faces WFI disciplinary dispute as Delhi High Court reviews selection policy, women wrestlers oppose special entry before 2026 Asian Games.

Vinesh Phogat [AP Photo]

Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat’s comeback to professional wrestling now faces opposition from her fellow wrestlers, who have said that she shouldn’t be given any special privileges and has to go through all qualification stages, according to a PTI report.

The latest standoff between Vinesh and the Wrestling Federation of India has now gone beyond a simple eligibility dispute, with the potential to influence both her future and the balance of power in Indian wrestling ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.

The WFI is viewing the problem not just as a technical eligibility matter tied to retirement and return-to-competition rules, but as a disciplinary case. That distinction is significant, as it could determine the course of action available to Vinesh going forward.

Meanwhile, the report stated that a group of women wrestlers has moved the Delhi High Court, contending that Vinesh shouldn’t receive direct entry into the national setup and must follow the same qualification pathway as other competitors.

The wrestlers’ intervention underscores growing concerns among active competitors about preserving fairness in the selection process ahead of major international tournaments, including the upcoming Asian Games cycle.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Monday stated that it would review the WFI’s selection policy before issuing any order on Vinesh’s plea seeking a fair chance to return to competitive wrestling.

The matter was taken up for hearing days after Vinesh moved the court on May 14, contesting her exclusion from the national wrestling selection process amidst an ongoing dispute with the WFI.

Vinesh had travelled to Gonda in Uttar Pradesh last week for the National Open Ranking tournament, which was expected to mark her return to competition, but the federation asked her to first respond to the show-cause notice.

“During the hearing, the court asked the former World Championships medallist to respond to the show-cause notice issued by the federation,” a source said while speaking to PTI.

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