Vinesh Phogat began her Asian Games selection trials with a commanding 7-1 win over Jyoti in the 53kg category, marking a strong comeback after a prolonged legal battle.
The Supreme Court allowed her to participate in the trials following a dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which had restricted her to the 50kg category based on past competition history. The court upheld a Delhi High Court order recognising her as an iconic athlete and ruled that her maternity break should not disqualify her from competing.
In her opening bout, Vinesh controlled the match after a cautious start, scoring through takedowns and quick counterattacks while conceding only one point. The victory advanced her to the next round against Nishu, who defeated Riya by fall.
The WFI initially argued that eligibility rules limited participation to specific tournament medallists, but the court noted that such criteria could unfairly penalise athletes with valid absences. Independent observers monitored the trials, and all bouts were video recorded for transparency.
Vinesh prepared meticulously, carrying personal weighing scales and filming her matches independently to ensure fairness. She now faces Meenakshi Goyat in the semifinals and could meet Antim Panghal in the final. Antim, who won her opening bout in just 34 seconds, remains a formidable opponent.
The winner of the trials will earn India’s berth for the Asian Games, setting up a high-stakes showdown between two of the country’s top wrestlers.
