Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Anush Agarwalla Says Asian Games Exclusion Followed an Unfair Process
Anush Agarwalla is an Indian rider who competes in dressage.
He helped India win a team gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and also won an individual bronze medal.
He was first listed as a reserve for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Later, he was not included in the final team.
Agarwalla said he felt deeply hurt because he believed he was not given a fair chance to compete.
He challenged the selection process and said the rules were interpreted unfairly.
The Delhi High Court said the selection process followed the required criteria.
Agarwalla will take a break from training but plans to return and target the Olympics.
Indian dressage rider Anush Agarwalla said he was deeply hurt after missing the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Agarwalla was initially named as a reserve after winning team gold and individual bronze at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
He challenged the selection process and questioned how the criteria and international competition scores were interpreted.
The Delhi High Court declined to intervene, ruling that the selection followed the prescribed criteria.
Agarwalla plans to take a training break before returning, with the Olympics as his next goal.
- Who
- Indian dressage rider Anush Agarwalla, who competes with his horse Floriana.
- What
- Agarwalla was excluded from India’s 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games team and criticized the selection process.
- When
- He expressed his disappointment in September 2026; the report said the Games were scheduled to begin later that week.
- Where
- The dispute involved India’s dressage selection process and was considered by the Delhi High Court.
- Why
- Agarwalla said the process was unfair, while the Delhi High Court held that the prescribed criteria had been followed.
Agarwalla’s View
Selection Process View
Fairness of selection
Agarwalla’s View
Agarwalla described the process as unfair and said he was denied the opportunity to compete despite his previous Asian Games medals.
Selection Process View
The Delhi High Court ruled that the dressage team selection was conducted according to the prescribed criteria.
Interpretation of criteria
Agarwalla’s View
Agarwalla questioned how the selection criteria were interpreted, including whether scores from CDI Hagen and CDI Lier should count.
Selection Process View
The Equestrian Federation of India’s panel reportedly ruled that those scores did not comply with the criteria, including the requirement to declare selection trials at least seven days in advance.
Review of the decision
Agarwalla’s View
Agarwalla said he contacted the Equestrian Federation of India, the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry but felt the matter was not reviewed.
Selection Process View
The court declined to intervene, leaving the selection decision in place.
- Athlete
- Anush Agarwalla
- Sport
- Dressage
- Event
- 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
- Previous medals
- Team gold and individual bronze at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games
- Selection status
- Initially named as a reserve, then excluded from the final team
- Court ruling
- The Delhi High Court declined to interfere and said the selection followed the prescribed criteria
- Next goal
- The Olympics
