Home / Sports / Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Competes After Court's Maternity Leave Win
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Competes After Court's Maternity Leave Win
30 May
Summary
- Supreme Court allowed Vinesh Phogat to compete in Asian Games trials.
- Phogat returns after maternity leave, challenging WFI selection policy.
- Trials are video-recorded and supervised by observers for transparency.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat arrived at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials. This appearance comes after the Supreme Court granted her permission to compete on Friday, May 29, 2026.
The Supreme Court's interim relief allows Phogat to compete in the 53kg category, despite her recent participation in the 50kg category. The Court expressed concern over judicial interference in sports administration while addressing the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) petition. Phogat had challenged the WFI's February 25, 2026 selection policy and a subsequent May 6, 2026 circular.
These policies restricted eligibility to medal winners from specific domestic tournaments in 2025 and 2026, effectively excluding Phogat due to her maternity leave. She informed the International Testing Agency of her sabbatical in December 2024 and gave birth in July 2025. The ITA confirmed her eligibility to compete from January 1, 2026.
The Delhi High Court had previously directed that the trials be video-recorded and supervised by independent observers from the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Authority of India. The High Court deemed the WFI's policy potentially arbitrary and discriminatory. The Supreme Court also criticized the WFI's remarks in a show-cause notice against Phogat, calling them 'deplorable' and potentially vindictive.
