Wrestler Vinesh Fotag’s dream of playing in the Asian Games 2026 was shattered. On Saturday (May 30), she had to face a 6-4 defeat at the hands of Meenakshi Goyat in the semi-final bout. 31-year-old Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat lost in the trial semi-finals of the 53 kg category in New Delhi. This is how his campaign ended.
Let us tell you that the two-time World Championship bronze medalist defeated Jyoti 7-1 in the first round and then defeated Nishu in a tough match, which she won on criteria, but lost to Meenakshi. Meenakshi had earlier defeated Panghal in the final in the Asian Championship trials.
On Saturday morning, there was a controversy regarding which category Vinesh would play in. Vinesh was told that she was allowed to compete only in the 50 kg category as she had participated in this weight category in her last four international competitions, including the Paris Olympics.
Vinesh protested against this and accused the federation of discrimination. Vinesh said that she should be given a chance to compete in the category of her choice. After this Vinesh’s weight was found to be 53.9 kg and she was included in the 53 kg category.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh said, “After Vinesh made her allegations, we allowed the officials to measure her weight. We do not want to discriminate against anyone. She had not told in which category she wanted to compete, yet we are allowing her.”
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