After recent Supreme Court ruling,Wrestling Federation of India ( WFI ) has now said she can only take part in 50kg weight category for upcoming Asian Games selection trials.
Supreme Court declined to impose stay on Delhi High Court order that permitted her participation in trials . So technically,Vinesh can compete,but WFI has put this clear condition around category . Not in any higher class,not where she has had past success,50kg only.
WFI officials stated," Vinesh Phogat will have to participate in trials in the 50kg category,the same weight class in which she competed at the Paris Olympics."
And this is where things are raising eyebrows . Vinesh Phogat has not been one-category wrestler throughout her career . She started at 48kg,moved to 51kg,and then found big success at 53kg,including two World Championship medals and Tokyo Olympics appearance.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- WFI is insisting on 50kg despite Vinesh's higher category history .
- Vinesh has won medals in both 53kg and 50kg classes .
- After brief retirement,Vinesh is now aiming for LA 2028 Olympics .
Her Paris Olympics qualification came in 50kg category at 2024 Paris Olympics,but that same weight category also became painful point because she narrowly missed making weight for final . That moment led to brief retirement announcement,and then she reversed that decision in December 2025.
Now WFI insisting on early morning weigh-in and 50kg category feels very loaded ah . Report says federation hopes she may not meet weight requirements during upcoming weigh-in,which makes whole thing look less like simple rule-following and more like power game only .
At same time,Vinesh preparing for Asian Games trials is not small thing . Her participation can affect India's medal chances,and wrestling community is watching closely because this is not just about one bout or one weigh-in now.
And tbh,question is bigger than Vinesh alone . How should federations handle athletes who move across weight classes,especially someone with her record and history? For now,she has to make 50kg again,and everyone is waiting to see what happens that morning…
