Vinesh Phogat barred from 2026 World Championships trials after Delhi HC order

Vinesh Phogat's bid to return to the international wrestling circuit has suffered a setback after the Delhi High Court refused to allow her to compete in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed Phogat's plea for interim relief late on Thursday, ruling that she could not be given an exemption from the eligibility conditions set by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The trials are scheduled for September 14 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

"To reiterate, the criteria prescribed



under the circular dated September 7, 2026 apply uniformly to all athletes. An athlete who has not participated in the prescribed competitions, for whatever reason, would not fall within the eligibility categories specified by respondent no. 1 (WFI)," the court said.

The order does not settle the larger question of whether the WFI's policy is valid. The court acknowledged that Phogat's pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery would have to be considered while examining the policy, but said those circumstances did not automatically warrant an interim exemption.