Decorated wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday (May 30, 2026) made a winning start at the Asian Games selection trials by beating Jyoti 7-1 in her opening bout in New Delhi.

Vinesh was cautious in the beginning and largely involved in standing wrestling but comfortably made her moves as the bout progressed.

She began with a push point on counter and soon went for a double leg attack that did not yield any points. She was put on clock at the start of the second period and from there she began to dominate.

She converted a right leg attack into a take down move to go 3-0 up. Jyoti too launched a furious leg attack but Vinesh used all her strength to foil the attempt.

On counter attack, Vinesh made two quick moves to make it 7-0, while Jyoti got on board with a push-out point.

Vinesh will next take on Nishu, who won by fall against Riya.

Meanwhile, Antim Panghal needed only 34 seconds to make a winning start as she defeated Tannu by technical superiority. In no time, Antim had her rival locked in a ‘fitley’ move and rolled Tannu five times to finish the bout in a jiffy.

Antim and Vinesh are drawn to meet in the final. Vinesh, though, will have to contend with the talented Meenakshi Goyat in the semifinals.

Just yesterday (May 29, 2026), Supreme Court allowed Phogat to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials.

A Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha said Ms. Phogat needs a chance as she has made the country proud multiple times in the past in the wrestling ring.

After the Supreme Court verdict, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) said Vinesh Phogat will be allowed to compete only in the women’s 50kg category. The wrestler strongly objected to the decision and accused the federation of discriminating against her by denying her the opportunity to compete in a category of her choice.

A day after, WFI relented and agreed that Vinesh Phogat can compete in the 53-kg category. The dramatic turn of events came early on Saturday (May 30, 2026) when WFI president Sanjay Singh intervened and decided to allow Vinesh to enter the 53kg trials.

(With inputs from PTI)

Former world championships medallist Vinesh Phogat was on Saturday (May 30, 2026) allowed to compete in the women’s 53kg category at the Asian Games selection trials after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) reversed its earlier stand of restricting her participation to the 50kg division.

The dramatic turn of events came during the official weigh-in on Saturday (May 30, 2026) morning when Vinesh was informed that she would be permitted to compete only in the 50kg category, citing her participation in that weight class in her last four international events, including the Paris Olympics.

The wrestler strongly objected to the decision and accused the federation of discriminating against her by denying her the opportunity to compete in a category of her choice.

Sources present at the venue said the matter escalated before WFI president Sanjay Singh intervened and decided to allow Vinesh to enter the 53kg trials as well.

“We allowed her after she threw accusations and asked the officials to take her weight,” WFI president Sanjay Singh told PTI.

“We do not want to discriminate anyone. She did not inform which category she wants to compete and still letting her.”

Vinesh subsequently weighed in at 53.9kg and was accommodated in the 53kg draw.

It now sets up an intriguing battle between her, another proven performer Antim Panghal and the fast-rising Meenakshi Goyat.

In a brief chat with media while preparing, Vinesh said, “I am here for at least two years.”

The development was a significant climb-down by the WFI, which had maintained that Vinesh would be considered only for the 50kg category.

The federation’s argument was that the wrestler had consistently competed in that division in recent international competitions and had not formally intimated the WFI about switching categories for the trials.

The issue had already generated considerable controversy after the Delhi High Court directed the WFI to treat Vinesh as an “iconic player” and allow her to participate in the Asian Games selection trials.

Vinesh, however, has competed in multiple weight divisions during her career, including 53kg, and was keen to contest the trials in that category.

The winner of the trials will earn the right to represent India at the Asian Games later this year.

The WFI’s decision to accommodate Vinesh in the 53kg draw ended hours of uncertainty and ensured that one of India’s most decorated women wrestlers remained in contention for an Asian Games berth.

The simmering stand-off between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and star grappler Vinesh Phogat appears headed for another flashpoint, with the national federation deciding to allow her to compete only in the women’s 50kg category in the Asian Games selection trials.

According to WFI sources, federation officials waited for confirmation on her preferred weight division after Supreme Court paved the way for her participation in Saturday’s (May 30, 2026) trials but did not receive any communication from the two-time World Championship medallist till late Friday evening.

Since Vinesh has competed in the 50kg category in her last few international events, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, the federation has decided to consider her for that division alone.

“It is important for the chief coach and the technical officials to know which wrestler is competing in which weight category. We waited till late evening but no email, message or any formal intimation was received from Vinesh’s side,” a WFI source told PTI.

It has been learnt that the celebrated wrestler has been preparing to compete in the 53kg class and was training at the Indira Gandhi Stadium complex here, which is also the venue for the trials.

A senior WFI official said the federation would honour the court’s directions but would conduct the trials strictly under its own regulations.

“Honouring the court orders, we will allow Vinesh to compete. But only WFI rules will apply during the competition. We have no objection if observers from the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry are present. In fact, we welcome their presence even as the Supreme Court has not passed any such direction. It was the High Court which had mentioned observers,” the official said.

The federation will allow a one-kilogram weight tolerance for all wrestlers participating in the championship.

That effectively means Vinesh will have to at least reduce her weight to 51kg if she is to compete in the 50kg division.

Several wrestler oppose Vinesh’s direct entry

The controversy has triggered sharp reactions within the wrestling fraternity. It has been learnt that at least 16 women wrestlers have approached the court, seeking directions that Vinesh should not be granted direct entry into the trials.

The petitioners have reportedly argued that they have spent many months competing through the regular domestic pathway while Vinesh has entered the Asian Games selection race directly because of her iconic player status.

Open Ranking event medal winners can compete

Meanwhile, in another important development, WFI has decided to allow all medal winners from the National Open Ranking event in Gonda to compete in the Asian Games trials after receiving multiple representations from the medal-winning wrestlers.

It has opened the door for 2019 World Championships medallist and Olympian Deepak Punia to get into national reckoning after struggling for form for last few months.