Just months before the Asian Games, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has set new eligibility rules for the selection trials, impacting veteran wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s chances. The criteria now require only medalists from the 2025 and 2026 competitions to participate in the trials, excluding Phogat who has not competed since her disqualification at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The selection trials for women wrestlers are scheduled for May 30 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, while the men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman teams will be chosen after trials in SAI RC Lucknow on May 31.
The updated criteria specify that only medal winners from the 2025 Senior National Wrestling Championship, 2026 Senior Federation Cup, and Under-20 National Wrestling Championship are eligible, effectively closing the door for Phogat due to her absence from recent tournaments.
Vinesh Phogat had raised concerns about WFI’s intentions to prevent her participation in the trials, alleging that the federation obstructed her registration for the National Open Ranking Tournament, further complicating her comeback plans.
Wrestling Federation of India Introduces New Eligibility Criteria Ahead of Asian Games
Indian Community Editorial Team
The Indian Community Editorial Team curates, verifies, and publishes stories that matter to Indians worldwide. From culture and community to business and innovation, our mission is to spotlight voices, ideas, and events that bring our global community closer together. Have news or a story to share? Submit it to us at [email protected].
Add A Comment