New Delhi, May 23: The Delhi High Court has allowed ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the upcoming selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. The court observed that the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) selection policy appeared exclusionary as it lacked flexibility to accommodate a renowned athlete returning after a maternity break.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the WFI to ensure transparency during the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The court ordered that the entire selection process be video-recorded, while independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) must remain present during the trials.
In its order passed on May 22 and uploaded on Saturday, the court stated, “The appellant shall be permitted to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games, 2026, which are scheduled for 30.05.2026 and 31.05.2026.”
The court’s decision comes as a major relief for Vinesh Phogat, who is making her return to competitive wrestling following maternity leave.
