Delhi High Court Backs Vinesh Phogat; WFI Accepts Trials Participation

In a significant development for Indian wrestling, the Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India to permit Vinesh Phogat to take part in upcoming selection trials. The federation has now publicly confirmed it will respect the verdict and will not file an appeal. This decision opens the door for the accomplished grappler to pursue qualification for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan. The judicial intervention came after Phogat challenged the federation’s selection policy, which she claimed did not accommodate the realities of maternity leave. The court criticized the timing of qualifying events that coincided with her recovery period and emphasized that motherhood should never become a barrier to professional opportunities. Observers from the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association will oversee the trials to ensure transparency. While the federation has accepted the ruling, officials have raised concerns about administrative deadlines. The athlete roster was submitted weeks ago, creating uncertainty about how Phogat’s potential qualification would be handled. Nevertheless, the federation has signaled openness to special provisions for established athletes, though any such measure would still require compliance with weight-category rules. The case has drawn renewed attention to the broader issue of support systems for female athletes returning from childbirth. Legal experts believe the judgment could set an important precedent for sports bodies across the country, compelling them to revise policies that inadvertently penalize motherhood.