In a dramatic, last-minute legal move, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court order that cleared the path for Olympian Vinesh Phogat to compete in the upcoming selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games.
The WFI’s urgent appeal comes just days before the selection trials, which are scheduled to take place in Delhi on Saturday, May 30. The federation is seeking an immediate stay on the High Court’s May 22 directive, warning against judicial interference in sports administration.
A Clash Over Selection Rules and ‘Judicial Overreach’
In its Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed before the apex court, the WFI characterized the Delhi High Court division bench’s order as “ex facie illegal.” The federation argued that the court did not provide them with a fair opportunity to present a detailed response before ruling in Phogat’s favor.
A central pillar of the WFI’s petition is the preservation of sporting autonomy. The federation maintains that selecting athletes for major international multi-sport events, such as the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, falls strictly within the domain of the recognized National Sports Federation. By directing Phogat’s inclusion, the WFI contends the court has engaged in “judicial overreach.”
Furthermore, the WFI claims that Phogat is technically ineligible under the current selection criteria, which were published in February 2026. The federation emphasized that the policy has no provisions for “iconic player” status or maternity-based exemptions, asserting that the selection process is strictly merit- and performance-based.
The Anti-Doping and Retirement Dispute
The friction between the federation and the decorated wrestler goes back to her decision to step away from the sport. According to the court petition, Phogat voluntarily retired from professional wrestling in December 2024, communicating her decision to the International Testing Agency (ITA).
The WFI argues that under United World Wrestling (UWW) anti-doping regulations, read in conjunction with the WADA Code, any athlete returning from retirement must undergo a mandatory six-month whereabouts and drug-testing period before being cleared to compete. WFI contends Phogat has not completed this requirement.
Additionally, the federation highlighted a pending disciplinary issue, citing a “recorded missed test” registered against Phogat on May 4, 2026, stemming from an unsuccessful testing attempt on December 18, 2025. A show-cause notice was subsequently served to her on May 9. WFI argues that this disciplinary process is still active and must be allowed to reach its “logical conclusion” before she can return to competitive action.
Administrative Hurdles and Impact on Other Athletes
Beyond eligibility rules, the WFI pointed out logistical and fairness concerns regarding Saturday’s trials:
- Missed Deadlines: The official accreditation deadline for the 2026 Asian Games expired on May 14. Because the High Court’s order was passed on May 22, the WFI claims implementing the directive at this stage is highly impractical.
- Fairness to Other Competitors: In each weight category, 12 wrestlers have already qualified for the trials through performances at the Senior National Championships, the Senior Federation Cup, and the Under-20 National Championships. The WFI noted that these qualified athletes were not given a hearing before the High Court issued its order to include Phogat.
How the Dispute Reached the Courts
Phogat’s legal battle began after she was barred from participating in the National Open Ranking event—the tournament she had targeted for her official comeback. WFI had also issued her a show-cause notice for an alleged violation of rules.
While Phogat’s initial court petition did not grant her relief, she appealed the decision. On May 22, the Delhi High Court division bench ruled in her favor, directing the WFI to allow her to participate in the May 30 trials.
With the Supreme Court now drawn into the dispute, the wrestling community eagerly awaits a final decision on whether one of India’s most celebrated athletes will be allowed to compete on Saturday.
