The Delhi High Court has delivered a devastating blow as Vinesh Phogat suffers a setback in the 2026 World Championship selection trials. The Olympic wrestler’s bid to return to international competition has been denied as the Delhi High Court refused to allow her to take part in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in a late-night interim order on Thursday, declined Phogat’s request for an exemption from the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) eligibility criteria. The trials are scheduled for 14 September at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. The World Championships themselves will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 24 October to 1 November.
Setback for Vinesh Phogat: Delhi HC refuses to allow participation in 2026 World Championship trials
Phogat, who became a mother in July 2025 and has returned from maternity leave, challenged a WFI circular issued on 7 September. The circular restricted eligibility primarily to medal winners from specified 2025 and 2026 competitions, wrestlers attending the national coaching camp, and those selected for the 2026 U20 World Championships.
Phogat argued that the rules effectively shut her out because she missed the qualifying events due to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. The court ruled that the criteria must apply uniformly to all athletes. As per the order:
“An athlete who has not participated in the prescribed competitions, for whatever reason, would not fall within the eligibility categories.”
Granting interim relief to Phogat alone could result in unequal treatment of other similarly placed wrestlers who had not approached the court, it added, and it would be unfair to those athletes. While refusing the exemption at this stage, the judge noted that Phogat’s maternity-related circumstances would need to be considered when examining the policy's validity.
The court also asked the WFI to consider framing guidelines to support female athletes returning to competition after maternity leave, balancing the interests of the sport and the athletes. Phogat’s counsel had submitted that the exclusion could sideline her for another two years and effectively end her competitive career.
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