New Delhi: In a massive boost for Indian wrestling, the Supreme Court has cleared the way for Olympian Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. Refusing to stay a Delhi High Court order, the apex court highlighted Phogat’s stellar track record of bringing laurels to the nation.
The bench, during the hearing on Friday, made it clear that Phogat’s stature as an elite athlete set her apart. “If anybody else, it would have been on a different footing. She’s made the country proud,” the court observed.
The Legal Battle Over Selection Policies
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court’s directive that allowed Phogat into the selection trials.
Phogat’s path back to the mat faced a bureaucratic hurdle due to her absence from recent domestic competitions. The timeline of her break reveals why the High Court deemed the WFI’s selection policy unfair:
- December 2024: Phogat formally notified the International Testing Agency (ITA) that she was taking a temporary hiatus from competitive wrestling due to pregnancy.
- July 2025: She gave birth and subsequently resumed high-intensity training.
- Early 2026: The ITA officially cleared her to return to international competition.
Because of her pregnancy, Phogat could not compete in the specific qualifying tournaments mandated by the WFI policy. The Delhi High Court stepped in, prima facie holding that the WFI policy unfairly locked out top-tier wrestlers who missed specific events due to genuine reasons, effectively excluding an athlete of Phogat’s caliber.
Court Slams WFI’s “Vindictive” Remarks
The High Court also pulled up the WFI for its heavy-handed language in a show-cause notice issued to Phogat. The federation had labeled her infamous weigh-in controversy at the Paris Olympics a “national embarrassment.”
Sticking up for the athlete, the court called the WFI’s remarks “deplorable” and “vindictive,” pointing out that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had already cleared Phogat of any intentional wrongdoing.
Supreme Court Flags Concerns but Prioritizes Fairness
While the Supreme Court ultimately allowed Phogat to compete, it expressed reservations about the judiciary micro-managing sports schedules. Justice P.S. Narasimha remarked:
“These are not medical college admissions but national and international sports. It can’t be like courts will interfere in this manner and disrupt the entire schedule.”
Despite these systemic concerns, the apex court chose not to disrupt the High Court’s order for the ongoing trials. To ensure total transparency and eliminate any bias, the court has ordered:
- Complete video recording of the entire selection trial process.
- Independent observers nominated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to oversee the bouts.
What’s Next?
While Phogat takes to the mat for the trials, the legal battle isn’t entirely over. The Supreme Court has asked Phogat to formally respond to the WFI’s plea, and the matter is scheduled for its next hearing on June 1. For now, the focus shifts from the courtroom to the wrestling arena.
Author: Thamarassery
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