Vinesh Phogat barred from World Championship trials, Delhi High Court denies plea

The Delhi High Court has denied wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s request to take part in the selection trials for the World Championships 2026. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma rejected Phogat’s plea for interim relief late Thursday, holding that the eligibility requirements laid down by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) could not be waived for her while their legality remains under examination.

The court said the Sept. 7 eligibility circular applies equally to athletes and that participation in the specified competitions is a requirement for the categories covered by the policy.

“The criteria specified in the circular dated September 7, 2026, apply equally to all athletes. The court said an athlete who has not taken part in the prescribed competitions, for whatever reason, would not fall within the eligibility categories specified by respondent no. 1 (WFI).

WFI had announced its eligibility criteria for selection trials in six Olympic weight categories, and Phogat had approached the court. The selection criteria include medalists of selected events, wrestlers attending the national coaching camp and athletes selected for the 2026 U20 World Championships.

The 2024 Paris Olympics medalist says the structure leaves her with no avenue into the trials because she missed a number of qualifying events while away from competition post pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery.

Notably, Phogat became a mother in July 2025 and later made a comeback to training and competition. She pointed to her return to competition at the Asian Games selection trials on May 30 as an example. She fought in the 53kg division and won her quarter-final and

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Her plea is not for direct selection in India’s World Championships team now. Instead, she wants to be allowed to compete in the trials, where her selection would be based on her performance.

The court said her maternity-related circumstances would be relevant to the wider challenge to the WFI policy, but they were not a sufficient basis for an interim individual exception for her.

“The granting of such interim relief to the petitioner alone without adjudication of the policy itself may result in unequal treatment of equally placed athletes who are not before this court,” the court said.