Delhi High Court Overrules WFI, Clears Vinesh Phogat for Asian Games 2026 Trials

In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has cleared the path for Olympian Vinesh Phogat to compete in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to commence on 30 May. The court delivered a sharp rebuke to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), labelling its selection policy as "exclusionary" and its conduct towards the athlete as "vindictive". This ruling comes as a major relief for Phogat, who had challenged the WFI's criteria that effectively barred her participation following her maternity leave. Vinesh Phogat Reveals She is Among Six Victims in Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment Case.

Delhi High Court's Strong Rebuke of WFI

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, in its verdict delivered on 22 May, observed that Phogat was unable to meet the WFI's revised selection policy due to her maternity break.

The court emphatically stated that motherhood cannot be a reason to exclude or marginalise female athletes, acknowledging the "extraordinary physical challenges" women face during pregnancy and post-partum recovery. "It cannot be denied that the journey of a female athlete through pregnancy and the post-partum period is marked by extraordinary physical challenges," the Bench remarked, urging sporting institutions to recognise these realities.

Furthermore, the High Court strongly criticised the WFI for issuing a show-cause notice to Phogat, which described her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 for being overweight as a "national shame".

The court termed these remarks "retrograde" and "vindictive," noting they appeared "premeditated" and ignored the findings of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which had found no wrongdoing on Phogat's part. The bench also questioned the Central government's alleged inaction against WFI officials over the notice. Vinesh Phogat Served Show-Cause Notice by WFI, Wrestler Ruled Ineligible Until June 2026.

Background to the Dispute

The dispute arose after the WFI introduced new eligibility criteria for the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, limiting participation to medal winners from specific competitions held in 2025 or 2026. This policy effectively excluded Phogat, who had taken a sabbatical from December 2024, including a maternity break after giving birth in July 2025.

Despite announcing her return to wrestling in December 2025, the WFI's new criteria and a subsequent notice declaring her ineligible for domestic events until June 2026, citing anti-doping rules for athletes returning from retirement, created significant hurdles. Phogat had challenged these actions, arguing that the WFI had altered selection norms to her detriment.

Implications for Asian Games 2026 and Beyond

With this ruling, Vinesh Phogat is now eligible to participate in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for 30 and 31 May. The High Court has mandated that the trials be video-recorded and overseen by two independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to ensure transparency. Vinesh Phogat Returns to Competitive Wrestling, Shifts to 57kg for National Open Ranking Tournament.

This decision not only offers a crucial opportunity for Phogat to represent India at the Asian Games but also sets a significant precedent for protecting the rights of female athletes, particularly those returning to sport after maternity leave.

The court's strong observations underscore the need for sporting federations to adopt fair and inclusive policies that account for the unique challenges faced by athletes. The ruling is seen as a major setback for the WFI and a victory for athlete welfare and equitable treatment in Indian sports.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 23, 2026 06:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).