The Delhi high court, on Thursday, refused to allow wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championship, scheduled for September 14.
The Court also emphasised the need to strike a balance between the interests of the country and those of the athlete. The Bench reserved its order on Phogat’s plea after hearing submissions from both sides. The WFI, however, disputed that Phogat had been barred from participating.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made the observations while hearing Olympian Vinesh Phogat’s plea seeking permission to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships, scheduled to be held on September 14.
The court said the selection criteria apply uniformly to all athletes and allowing Phogat to participate provisionally would, in effect, amount to creating an exception in her favour from the eligibility criteria applicable to all other athletes. Its counsel told the Court that she had not been banned and remained eligible to compete at the state and national levels before progressing through the selection process. The Court said the WFI should consider whether guidelines could be framed to ensure that athletes returning after maternity are not disadvantaged by the selection process, while also taking into account the interests of the country and the requirements of competitive sport.
The court also said on Thursday that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) should consider framing guidelines to facilitate the participation of women athletes returning to competitive sport after maternity leave.
