Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Delhi High Court Denies Phogat World Championships Trials Exemption
Vinesh Phogat wants to compete in wrestling trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships.
The Wrestling Federation of India has rules about which wrestlers may enter the trials.
Phogat says she missed some required competitions because she was pregnant, gave birth, and was recovering afterward.
She also says a disciplinary notice stopped her from competing in one event.
The Delhi High Court did not give her a temporary exception.
The court said making an exception just for her could be unfair to other athletes.
WFI says she can win medals in state and national competitions and then work her way back to the trials.
The court still has to examine whether the policy is fair and whether the disciplinary proceedings were proper.
During the hearing, the court reportedly considered conditional permission, but its final interim order refused permission.
The Delhi High Court refused Vinesh Phogat’s interim request to enter the September 14, 2026, World Championships selection trials.
The court said WFI’s September 7 eligibility circular applies uniformly to all athletes who did not compete in prescribed qualifying events.
Phogat argued pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, health issues, and disciplinary actions prevented her from competing in those events.
WFI said Phogat could return by winning medals at state- and national-level competitions before progressing to the selection trials.
The court left unresolved whether WFI’s policy fairly accommodates athletes returning after maternity and whether its disciplinary proceedings are valid.
- Who
- Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, the Wrestling Federation of India, and the Delhi High Court, including Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.
- What
- The court denied Phogat interim permission to participate in WFI’s women’s selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships.
- When
- The final order was issued late Thursday; the trials are scheduled for September 14, 2026, and the championships for October 24 to November 1.
- Where
- The trials are scheduled at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, while the championships are scheduled in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Why
- Phogat says maternity-related absence and WFI actions prevented her from meeting qualifying requirements; WFI and the court emphasized uniform eligibility rules and equal treatment.
Phogat’s Position
WFI and Court’s Position
Maternity and eligibility
Phogat’s Position
Phogat argues that pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, and related health issues kept her from competing in WFI’s specified qualifying events. She says the framework offers no alternative route to demonstrate her sporting ability after maternity.
WFI and Court’s Position
WFI relies on eligibility criteria that it says apply uniformly to every athlete. The court said Phogat’s circumstances must be considered when reviewing the policy but do not automatically justify an interim exemption.
Career impact
Phogat’s Position
Phogat says exclusion from the trials could keep her out of international competition for the rest of the year, potentially excluding her for two years and ending her career as an athlete.
WFI and Court’s Position
WFI says she can win medals at state- and national-level competitions and then climb back to the selection trials. The court stressed that international selection should follow a fair, uniform, performance-based process.
Interim relief and prior court permission
Phogat’s Position
Phogat said she sought only the opportunity to compete, not automatic selection, and relied on her participation in the Asian Games selection trials, where she reached the 53-kilogram semifinal.
WFI and Court’s Position
The court held that even participation is subject to WFI’s eligibility rules. It said an earlier order allowing her to enter Asian Games trials was tied to that specific policy and situation, and did not create a continuing exemption.
Disciplinary proceedings
Phogat’s Position
Phogat describes the show-cause notices and related proceedings as arbitrary actions that obstructed her return, including her exclusion from the Gonda tournament shortly before it took place.
WFI and Court’s Position
WFI said Phogat had been given repeated opportunities to appear before its Disciplinary Committee but did not attend the first three opportunities, while the court declined to rule on the allegations’ merits.
- Athlete
- Vinesh Phogat, who became a mother in July 2025
- Governing body
- Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
- Court decision
- Interim permission to compete in the selection trials was refused
- Eligibility circular
- WFI issued the disputed selection criteria on September 7, 2026
- Selection trials
- Women’s trials are scheduled for September 14 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi
- World Championships
- The event is scheduled for October 24-November 1 in Astana, Kazakhstan
- Weight categories
- WFI’s circular provides for women’s trials in six Olympic weight categories
- Disciplinary proceedings
- Phogat is challenging show-cause notices dated May 9 and June 17
Sources
No Exemption For Vinesh Phogat; Delhi High Court Refuses Relief Over World Wrestling Championships Selection Trials
Delhi High Court refuses Vinesh Phogat interim relief to compete in World Championships trials
‘I’m finished as an athlete’: Vinesh Phogat, WFI spar in court over selection trials
