WFI insists Vinesh Phogat compete in 50kg category despite SC relief for Asian Games trials

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Friday insisted that Olympian Vinesh Phogat would only be allowed to compete in the 50kg category at the upcoming Asian Games selection trials, despite the Supreme Court refusing to stay a Delhi High Court order permitting her participation.

The federation’s stand came hours after the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court ruling that cleared the path for Vinesh to take part in the trials. However, WFI sources maintained that the star wrestler would not be permitted to compete in the 57kg category, to which she had recently shifted following her comeback to the sport.

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Also Read: Supreme Court allows Vinesh Phogat to compete in Asian Games trials, refuses to stay Delhi HC order

“Vinesh Phogat will have to participate in trials in the 50kg category, the same weight class in which she competed at the Paris Olympics. As an iconic wrestler, she will be allowed to take part in the selection process, but only in the 50kg division. The weigh-in is scheduled for early morning,” WFI sources told IANS.

While the federation has agreed to comply with the court’s directions, officials had earlier indicated that procedural complexities could arise even if Phogat qualifies, noting that the list of participants for the competition had already been submitted to Japan earlier this month.

“It is not in our hands now. If, by any chance, we manage to include her as an iconic player, she will have to compete in the 50kg category,” WFI had stated earlier.

WFI had also maintained that Vinesh would only be eligible to compete in the 50kg division, citing the category in which she represented India at the Paris Olympics.

However, the renewed emphasis on the condition on the eve of the trials, following the Supreme Court setback, has led to speculation over whether the federation is intentionally making things difficult for the wrestler or merely reiterating an existing procedural stance.

Starting in the 48kg weight category, Vinesh moved up to 51kg and then settled in 53 kg, in which she won two World Championships medals and also at the Tokyo Olympics.

However, she participated in both the 53 and 50kg categories in the trials for the Paris Olympic Games before securing qualification in 50kg. She reached the final of the 50kg weight class in the Paris Olympics in 2024, where she failed to make the weigh-in below 50kg by a narrow margin on the morning of the final.

Also Read: WFI will not challenge Delhi HC order, Vinesh Phogat cleared for Asian Games trials

The 31-year-old wrestler, a member of the famed Phogat sisters from Haryana, announced her retirement a day after the Paris Olympics setback.

However, in December 2025, she reversed her retirement decision, setting her sights on the LA 2028 Olympics. The period away from the mat also saw Vinesh becoming a mother in July last year.