The Supreme Court of India has cleared wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games [2].

The ruling marks a significant legal victory for Phogat, a three-time Olympian and two-time World Championships medallist [3]. It ensures that her return to professional competition after motherhood is not blocked by administrative restrictions.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has allowed Phogat to compete in the 53 kg category [2]. The selection trials are scheduled to take place at the KD Jadhav indoor hall of the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi [1, 3].

Legal counsel for Phogat said that denying her entry into the trials would be a "national embarrassment" [2]. The court's decision aimed to prevent discrimination against the athlete, who gave birth 10 months before the ruling [2].

A representative for the WFI said, "Don't want to discriminate" [2]. While the federation has agreed to the court's directive, the WFI said it will not challenge the High Court's order [3].

Despite the legal clearance to enter the trials, Phogat's final berth for the 2026 games remains uncertain [3]. She must still navigate the competitive trial process to secure her spot on the national team.

“Denying her entry into the trials would be a 'national embarrassment'.”

This ruling establishes a legal precedent regarding the rights of female athletes returning to high-performance sports after childbirth in India. By overturning the restrictions, the court prioritizes athletic merit and non-discrimination over the WFI's internal selection criteria, though Phogat's actual participation in the games still depends on her performance in the trials.