Our Bureau
New Delhi
Veteran Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat will not be able to compete in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) introduced new rules that shut out athletes who did not win medals in specific domestic events. The criteria, announced just months before the Games in Japan, effectively end her chances of a comeback at the continental event.
The WFI has said only medal winners from the 2025 Senior National Wrestling Championships, the 2026 Senior Federation Cup, and the Under‑20 National Wrestling Championships can take part in the Asian Games trials. Vinesh did not feature in any of these competitions during this period, which means she does not meet the federation’s eligibility conditions. She had earlier complained that the WFI did not respond when she tried to register for the National Open Ranking Tournament, feeding her belief that its policies were designed to block her return.
The rules apply to all 18 Olympic weight categories in men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco‑Roman wrestling. WFI officials have also pointed out that, under World Anti‑Doping Agency and United World Wrestling guidelines, an athlete returning from retirement must first re‑enter the Registered Testing Pool and be tested at least once within six months; Vinesh has not cleared this requirement yet.
Vinesh, a three‑time Olympian and former Olympic medal favourite, had been hoping to book a spot at the Asian Games to regain top‑level form. With the new criteria now in place, her Asian Games 2026 dream appears to be over.
