Vinesh Phogat Challenges WFI Selection Criteria for World Wrestling Championships
Vinesh Phogat Takes Legal Action Against WFI
On Wednesday, Vinesh Phogat approached the Delhi High Court, aiming to secure her spot in India's team for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships. She is contesting the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) selection criteria, which she claims unfairly disqualifies her due to her absence from competitions during her pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery period.
Phogat clarified that she is not asking for automatic inclusion but wishes to participate in the women's selection trials set for September 14 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. Her selection should be based solely on her performance during these trials. The Senior World Wrestling Championships are slated to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma instructed the WFI's legal representatives to gather information regarding Phogat's request and scheduled a hearing for Thursday.
In her petition, Phogat is requesting a suspension of the WFI's September 7 circular, which currently excludes her from the selection process. She is also seeking a directive for the federation to provisionally include her in the eligibility pool, allowing her to compete in the trials.
This recent application is part of Phogat's ongoing petition advocating for a policy that supports women athletes returning to competitive sports after maternity leave.
Central to her argument is the WFI's eligibility criteria for the trials, which she argues creates a 'closed' system by tying eligibility to participation in specific competitions.
According to the circular, the women's trials will cover six Olympic weight categories. Eligible participants include medalists from the 2025 Senior National Wrestling Championship, the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, and the 2026 U23 National Wrestling Championship, along with certain Federation Cup medalists, wrestlers in national coaching camps, and those selected for the 2026 U20 World Wrestling Championship.
Phogat contends that she does not meet any of these criteria due to her absence from qualifying events, which was due to maternity-related reasons.
She argues that the selection framework lacks provisions for female athletes who miss qualifying competitions due to maternity.
Phogat has also pointed to her performance at the Asian Games selection trials on May 30, where she competed in the 53kg category, winning her quarterfinal match and reaching the semifinals.
She emphasizes that this performance is not a claim for automatic selection but serves as proof of her return to competitive wrestling, warranting her inclusion in the World Championships selection trials.
Her application states, 'The performance at the Asian Games Selection Trials is a pertinent factor' in deciding her eligibility for the September 14 trials, asserting that final selection should be based solely on her performance in those trials.
Phogat argues that the WFI cannot disregard her subsequent performance while penalizing her for her absence from competitions due to maternity-related circumstances.