Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is participating in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials following a ruling by the Supreme Court on Friday [1].
The decision marks a significant legal victory for Phogat, as it challenges the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) ability to exclude athletes based on maternity leave. The case highlights the tension between national sporting bodies and athletes fighting for gender-equitable eligibility standards.
Phogat returned to competition at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi [1, 2]. The Supreme Court lifted the WFI's exclusion of the athlete, which had been based on new eligibility criteria [1, 3]. These specific rules barred athletes who missed previous competitions due to maternity leave [1, 3].
Despite the judicial relief, the situation remains contested. The WFI's updated policy had previously shut the door on Phogat's hopes for the 2026 [1] games, leading to conflicting reports regarding her final status [1, 3]. While the court order provides a path for her participation, the federation's criteria had previously declared her ineligible [3].
The trials serve as the primary gateway for wrestlers seeking a spot in the 2026 [1] edition of the games. Phogat's presence at the stadium follows a period of intense legal scrutiny over how the WFI manages its selection process for elite athletes.
“The Supreme Court lifted the Wrestling Federation of India's exclusion of Phogat”
This ruling establishes a legal precedent regarding the intersection of maternity rights and athletic eligibility in India. By overturning the WFI's exclusion, the Supreme Court is signaling that maternity leave cannot be used as a justification to bar athletes from national selection, potentially forcing a broader overhaul of sports policies across various Indian federations to ensure they comply with gender equality norms.
