New Delhi, 30 May. Two-time world medalist wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who got the right to participate in the Asian Games selection trials with the intervention of the Supreme Court, started her campaign with a spectacular 7-1 victory in the first round here on Saturday. But she was eliminated from the trials after losing in her third match.
In the semi-finals of the trials held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Olympian Phogat was defeated 6-4 by young wrestler Meenakshi Goyat in the 53 kg weight category. With this defeat, Phogat’s dream of participating in the Asian Games 2026 was also shattered.
After the defeat Vinesh WFI accused of bias
After being eliminated from the trials, Vinesh accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) of bias and said, ‘Obviously there is bias, but I want to train so much that the cheating they are doing should be left behind and they will not be able to defeat me even if they want to. I will try to increase my training and do well.
‘I will train so much that even their cheating will be left behind’
During the conversation, Vinesh thanked the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, after whose approval Vinesh was able to participate in this competition. Regarding the trials, he said, ‘I don’t need to say anything, everyone has seen how fair the trials have been conducted. The whole country knows.
WFI limited Phogat’s participation to 50 kg category at the last moment.
It is known that Vinesh was participating in any competitive competition for the first time after Paris Olympics 2024. However, he had to struggle hard for this also. After getting permission to participate in the selection first from the High Court and then from the Supreme Court, just before the start of the trial match on Saturday, his participation was limited to only 50 kg category by the WFI.
According to media reports, during the official weigh-in on Saturday morning, he was told that he would be allowed to participate only in the 50 kg category as he had participated in the same weight category in his last four international events, including the Paris Olympics.
After Vinesh’s protest, permission was given to enter the 53 kg category.
Vinesh strongly opposed this decision and accused the wrestling federation of discrimination. He said that he is not being given a chance to enter the weight category of his choice. After this, WFI President Sanjay Singh intervened and later changing the decision, Vinesh was allowed to participate in the trials of 53 kg category.
Explanation of WFI President Sanjay Singh
Sanjay Singh clarified, ‘We allowed her (Vinesh) because she made allegations and asked officials to measure her weight. We do not want to discriminate against anyone. She did not tell in which category she wanted to play, yet we gave her a chance. Apart from Sanjay Singh, Aditi Chauhan of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and MM Somaiya of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) were present as observers at the Indira Gandhi Stadium during the trials.
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