The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has officially announced the rules and schedule for the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, with a significant consequence being that star wrestler Vinesh Phogat will not be eligible to compete. The federation has stipulated that only medal winners from the 2025 Senior National Wrestling Championship, the 2026 Senior Federation Cup, and the Under-20 National Wrestling Championship will be permitted to participate. Additionally, WFI has clarified that past performance will not be taken into consideration for qualification.
Vinesh Phogat's Comeback Plans
Vinesh, who is preparing for a return to competition after a hiatus of nearly 18 months, is slated to compete in the National Open Ranking Tournament in the 57kg category. However, under the newly announced criteria, her previous achievements will not aid her in qualifying for the Asian Games trials. This decision marks a significant hurdle in her comeback journey.
Trial Schedule and Venues
The women's wrestling trials are scheduled to take place on May 30 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Meanwhile, the freestyle and Greco-Roman trials are set for May 31 at the SAI Regional Centre in Lucknow. The competition will encompass 18 Olympic weight categories across the three wrestling formats, ensuring a comprehensive selection process.
ITA Warning for Missed Doping Test
In a separate development, Vinesh has received a warning from the International Testing Agency (ITA) after missing an out-of-competition doping test in December 2025 in Bengaluru. Athletes in the testing pool are required to remain available during a fixed one-hour slot for surprise testing. Vinesh explained that she was traveling for Haryana Assembly duties and managing personal responsibilities following the birth of her child, but the ITA rejected her explanation.
The ITA stated: "The obligation is to be both available and accessible without prior notice at the location indicated." The agency added that this would count as her first "whereabouts failure" in the last 12 months. However, it is not considered a doping violation and will not prevent her from competing in the upcoming Gonda tournament.
