An Asian Games gold medalist has called out the selection process as he is set to miss the 2026 edition. The gold medalist in question is Indian dressage rider Anush Agarwalla, who has publicly criticised the selection process that left him out of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Anush has described his exclusion as feeling more like a “betrayal” than a sporting defeat. The 25-year-old, a member of India’s historic gold-medal-winning dressage team at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and an individual bronze medallist there, said on Monday that his dream of competing this time has now been shattered.
Asian Games gold medallist criticises ‘unfair’ selection after missing 2026 Games
Anush was initially named as first reserve by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) ad-hoc committee in June but did not make the final four-rider team. He wrote that he ‘can accept defeat on the field. That is sport.’ He added:
“You fight, you win, you lose, and you come back stronger. But this feels less like defeat and more like betrayal.'
Anush added that he was “deeply hurt” not because he lost in competition, but because he felt he was never given the chance to compete. Agarwalla, who has trained extensively in Germany and also represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympics, did not sit back. He had challenged the selection in the Delhi High Court alongside fellow reserve Sudipti Hajela. However, the court dismissed the petitions, ruling that the process followed the prescribed criteria and showed no arbitrariness or bias warranting intervention.
Anush said he had approached the EFI, the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry seeking a review, but received no meaningful response. He wrote:
“If India wants to become a true sporting nation, athletes deserve a system that is fair, transparent and respects the years of work behind every opportunity.”
Despite the disappointment, Agarwalla explained his continued commitment to representing India and indicated that the Olympics remain his next major goal. The Asian Games begin later this week. Anush revealed that he ‘fought until the very last moment’ and said that he has accepted the outcome but not the selection process.
In his post, Anush has also urged India to have a fair, transparent system so that ‘no athlete has to go through this again.’ He also thanked his coach and family and stated that he needs a ‘break from training’ but will return since the Olympics are something he is targeting now.
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