The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced new eligibility criteria for the selection trials ahead of the upcoming Asian Games, a move that effectively sidelines wrestler Vinesh Phogat from contesting.
Under the revised rules, only medal winners from key domestic competitions held in 2025 and 2026 will be eligible to participate in the Asian Games selection trials. Since Phogat has not competed in any professional tournament after her disqualification at the 2024 Summer Olympics, she no longer qualifies under the updated norms.
According to WFI, eligible wrestlers must have secured medals in one of the following tournaments: the 2025 Senior National Wrestling Championship in Ahmedabad, the 2026 Senior Federation Cup in Ghaziabad, or the Under-20 National Wrestling Championship held in Bhilai earlier this year.
The decision has sparked fresh controversy, with many viewing it as a major setback for Phogat’s attempted comeback. The Haryana Congress MLA had earlier expressed concerns that the federation was trying to block her return to competitive wrestling.
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