Supreme Court allows Vinesh Phogat to compete in Asian Games trials

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, while also seeking her response to a plea filed by the Wrestling Federation of India challenging her eligibility.

The Wrestling Federation of India had moved the apex court against a Delhi High Court order that permitted Phogat to compete despite her not meeting the eligibility criteria under the federation’s policy.

A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe heard the Special Leave Petition filed by the WFI and allowed Phogat to take part in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.

Last week, the Delhi High Court ruled that motherhood cannot be treated as a disability or a reason to deny professional opportunities. The court directed the WFI to permit Phogat, a three-time Olympian, to participate in the trials.

“If it were anybody else, it would have been on a different footing. She has made the country proud,” the Supreme Court bench observed during the hearing.

Vinesh Phogat missed qualifying events because she was on maternity break.

Addressing the WFI’s counsel, the bench said that expectations had risen after the High Court order, and it would not be proper to ask Phogat to return home without relief.

At the same time, the Supreme Court expressed concern over repeated judicial intervention in sports-related matters. Justice Narasimha remarked that courts cannot interfere in a manner that disrupts national and international sports schedules.

The apex court has now listed the WFI’s plea for a detailed hearing next week while allowing Phogat temporary relief to compete in the trials.