Vinesh Phogat barred from 2026 World Championships trials after Delhi High Court order

Vinesh Phogat has been barred from the 2026 Senior World Championships selection trials after the Delhi High Court refused to grant her an interim exemption from the WFI's eligibility rules.

In Short

• Vinesh Phogat cannot compete in the World Championships selection trials
• The World Championships is scheduled from October 24 to November 1
• Phogat wants a separate pathway for athletes returning from maternity

Vinesh Phogat's bid to return to the international wrestling circuit has suffered a setback after the Delhi High Court refused to allow her to compete in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed Phogat's plea for interim relief late on Thursday, ruling that she could not be given an exemption from the eligibility conditions set by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The trials are scheduled for September 14 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

"To reiterate, the criteria prescribed under the circular dated September 7, 2026 apply uniformly to all athletes. An athlete who has not participated in the prescribed competitions, for whatever reason, would not fall within the eligibility categories specified by respondent no. 1 (WFI)," the court said.

The order does not settle the larger question of whether the WFI's policy is valid. The court acknowledged that Phogat's pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery would have to be considered while examining the policy, but said those circumstances did not automatically warrant an interim exemption.

WHY PHOGAT CHALLENGED THE WFI PATHWAY

Phogat became a mother in July 2025 and subsequently resumed training and competition. Her latest legal challenge centres on the WFI's September 7 circular, which sets eligibility conditions for trials across six Olympic weight categories.

The framework includes medal winners from specified competitions, wrestlers attending the national coaching camp and athletes selected for the 2026 U20 World Championships. Phogat has argued that the system effectively shuts her out because she could not participate in several qualifying events during her maternity-related absence.

Phogat is not seeking automatic selection for the World Championships. She wants an opportunity to enter the trials, with her place on the Indian team ultimately decided by her performance.

She has pointed to her participation in the Asian Games selection trials on May 30, where she competed in the 53kg category, won her quarter-final bout and reached the semi-final.

The World Championships are scheduled to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1.

MATERNITY POLICY REMAINS AT HEART OF DISPUTE

Phogat's latest application forms part of a broader petition seeking a structured policy for women athletes returning to competition after pregnancy and maternity leave. She has sought transparent selection procedures and an alternative mechanism for athletes who miss qualifying competitions because of maternity.

The court also highlighted the concern surrounding an individual exemption before deciding the validity of the policy.

"Granting such interim relief to the petitioner alone, without first adjudicating upon the policy itself, may consequently result in unequal treatment of similarly situated athletes who are not before this court," it said.

Phogat is also challenging disciplinary proceedings initiated by the WFI and has sought the quashing of two show-cause notices issued in May and June. The federation has maintained that she was given opportunities to appear before its disciplinary panel.

For now, the court's order rules Phogat out of the September 14 trials. Her wider challenge to the WFI's selection framework, however, remains pending, keeping the debate over how athletes returning from maternity should be accommodated in Indian sport alive.

- Ends