4 hrs ago
Court Weighs Vinesh Phogat’s Return to Wrestling Trials
Vinesh Phogat wants to compete in wrestling trials for an international championship.
The Wrestling Federation of India says athletes must meet certain medal-based rules to enter.
Because Phogat had taken time away from wrestling, including a maternity break, she does not meet the rule.
Phogat says this could keep her out of international events and end her career.
Her lawyers asked the Delhi High Court to let her compete in the trials.
The court said it might allow her to participate while the case continues.
WFI says she can first win medals in state and national competitions.
The judge also said sports rules should fairly consider women returning after childbirth.
Vinesh Phogat has asked the Delhi High Court to let her compete in the September 14 selection trials for the Senior World Wrestling Championship.
The court said Phogat may be allowed to participate subject to conditions and the final outcome of her petitions.
Phogat says WFI’s medal-based eligibility rule could exclude her from international competition for the rest of the year and effectively end her career.
WFI says Phogat can return by winning medals at state- and national-level events before progressing to the selection trials.
The dispute follows Phogat’s maternity and health-related break, her exclusion from a Gonda tournament, and disciplinary proceedings initiated by WFI.
- Who
- Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat and the Wrestling Federation of India, with the Delhi High Court hearing Phogat’s challenge.
- What
- Phogat is seeking permission to participate in the Senior World Wrestling Championship selection trials despite WFI’s eligibility criteria.
- Where
- The case is before the Delhi High Court, and the trials are to be held in New Delhi.
- When
- The court considered the matter on Thursday; the selection trials are scheduled for September 14.
- Why
- Phogat says the medal-based eligibility rule unfairly excludes her after a maternity and health-related break, while WFI says she must rebuild eligibility through state- and national-level competitions.
Phogat’s Position
WFI’s Position
Eligibility after absence
Phogat’s Position
Phogat argues that the medal requirement unfairly prevents her from demonstrating her current ability because she was away for maternity and health reasons.
WFI’s Position
WFI argues that she has not won medals in many years and should return through state- and national-level events before reaching the selection trials.
Effect on her career
Phogat’s Position
Phogat says exclusion from these trials would make her ineligible for international tournaments for the rest of the year and could keep her out for two years, effectively ending her career.
WFI’s Position
WFI maintains that she remains welcome to compete, win medals and climb back through the selection system.
Fairness of the policy
Phogat’s Position
Phogat alleges that WFI’s actions deliberately target her and points to earlier exclusions from competitions despite court-directed permission to participate in selection trials.
WFI’s Position
WFI relies on its published eligibility criteria and has also initiated disciplinary proceedings against Phogat over alleged indiscipline, anti-doping violations and United World Wrestling rule breaches.
Key facts
- Athlete
- Vinesh Phogat
- Governing body
- Wrestling Federation of India
- Selection trials
- Senior World Wrestling Championship trials on September 14
- Eligibility dispute
- WFI requires medal winners from the previous year under its cited criteria
- Recent break
- Phogat had been away from competition since December 2024, including a maternity break
- Disciplinary proceedings
- WFI initiated proceedings in May alleging indiscipline, anti-doping violations and breaches of United World Wrestling rules
- Court position
- The Delhi High Court said participation may be permitted subject to conditions and the outcome of Phogat’s pleas
Quotes
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Delhi High Court judge hearing Phogat’s petition
“She is very much welcome to win medals and then climb back up from the state-level, then national-level championships. She has not won medals in many years.”
indianexpress.com
“This is the problem. A woman, she will get married, then give birth to a child and that interim period (during and post child birth) goes for her.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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