Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has been left out of contention for the 2026 Asian Games after the Wrestling Federation finalised its selection rules, which prioritise performances at key domestic tournaments.
Under the new guidelines, only medal winners from the National Championships and the Federation Cup will be considered for selection across all 18 Olympic weight categories in men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The move effectively rules out Phogat from the Asian Games race, as she does not meet the eligibility requirements set by the federation.
The decision comes at a time when Phogat had been attempting a return to competitive wrestling after a difficult period in her career. The decorated wrestler—an Asian Games gold medallist and two-time World Championships bronze medallist—had earlier stepped away from the sport following heartbreak at the Paris Olympics, where she was disqualified before the 50kg final for missing the weigh-in limit by just 100 grams.
Officials say the new system is designed to ensure transparency and reward current form, making domestic results the primary pathway to represent India at the Asian Games. However, the rules have sparked debate within the wrestling community, with critics arguing that experienced wrestlers who miss specific qualifying events could lose their chance to compete at major tournaments.
Phogat, one of India’s most accomplished wrestlers, has previously criticised certain selection policies in the sport, calling for fair and open trials that allow athletes to prove themselves on the mat.
With the Asian Games selection criteria now in place, India’s wrestlers will focus on the National Championships and the Federation Cup, which will play a decisive role in determining the final squad for the continental showpiece.
Discussion about this post