Vinesh Phogat denied trial participation by Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has denied interim relief to wrestler Vinesh Phogat, preventing her from participating in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma ruled that the eligibility criteria set by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) could not be relaxed exclusively for Phogat, noting that doing so might create an unfair exception and impact other athletes.

Phogat challenged a September 7 WFI circular that requires participation in specific qualifying competitions for eligibility. She argued that her absence from these events was due to pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum recovery, and that the current framework lacks a mechanism for women athletes returning from maternity leave. Her legal counsel described the criteria as an attempt to effectively end her career.

While denying the immediate request to join the trials, the Court advised the WFI to consider framing formal guidelines to balance national interests with the needs of women athletes returning to competitive sport after maternity leave. The WFI maintained that Phogat has not been banned and can progress through state and national levels to regain eligibility.