Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat made a strong start to her campaign for the Asian Games selection trials on Saturday, defeating Haryana's Jyoti 7-1 in the 53kg category at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The bout, which lasted under a minute in key phases, saw Vinesh dominate with sharp offensive moves, including a clean single-leg takedown that left her opponent struggling.

The victory comes just a day after the Supreme Court cleared the way for her participation, dismissing a petition by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) that had sought to bar her from the trials.

 Early Morning Drama at the Stadium

The day began on a tense note. Vinesh and her husband Somvir Rathee had a brief altercation with security personnel over entry into the stadium premises. The issue was eventually resolved, allowing them inside. The incident added to the already charged atmosphere surrounding Vinesh's return to the mat amid her ongoing battles with wrestling authorities.

Weigh-in Controversy Resolved

Weigh-in formalities earlier in the morning triggered another flashpoint. Vinesh was initially placed in the 50kg category, a move she firmly opposed. She insisted on competing in her preferred 53kg division. WFI President Sanjay Singh stepped in to resolve the matter, and her weigh-in was conducted in the 53kg category. 

Sources familiar with the proceedings said the last-minute intervention helped avoid further delay. Vinesh later told reporters she had to wait nearly an hour before the issue was settled. “I no longer trust anyone here,” she remarked, adding that she had brought her own dietary supplies to maintain control over her preparation.

 Dominant Show on the Mat

Once on the mat, Vinesh showed little rust. Wearing the blue jersey, she applied immediate pressure on Jyoti Sihag from Hisar. The 7-1 scoreline reflected her control, with a notable chokehold and relentless offensive attacks from the opening seconds. Photographs from the venue captured her warming up with focused leg exercises and strategising closely with her coach and support staff.

Jyoti, who secured an Army job under the sports quota in 2024, boasts an impressive resume that includes a silver at the Asian Championships, a gold at the All India University Championships, and over ten other medals. Despite her credentials, she could not match Vinesh’s experience and intensity in the opening bout.

 Railways’ Antim Panghal Also in Fray

The 53kg category remains competitive. Railways wrestler Antim Panghal is also participating after completing all formalities. WFI officials confirmed that all eligible wrestlers, including Vinesh, were allowed to compete once they fulfilled the required conditions.

 Legal Battle That Paved the Way

Vinesh’s participation became possible only after judicial intervention. On May 28, the WFI approached the Supreme Court to stop her trials. A bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe rejected the plea on May 29, enabling her to step on the mat.

This is not just another trial bout for the seasoned wrestler. Vinesh has been at the centre of significant controversies in Indian wrestling over the past couple of years. Her determination to compete despite multiple hurdles has drawn attention from fans and fellow athletes alike.

 What Lies Ahead

With the first bout secured, Vinesh will now focus on the remaining rounds in the trials. Her performance will be closely watched as selectors prepare the Indian team for the upcoming Asian Games. 

The trials carry added significance given the recent turbulence in the sport’s administration. Many in the wrestling fraternity see Vinesh’s presence as symbolic of athletes pushing back against systemic challenges.

Local observers at the stadium noted decent footfall and visible support for the Olympian. As the day progresses, more bouts will determine who eventually earns the coveted Asian Games berth.

'Brijbhushan harassed me too': Vinesh Phogat reveals she is among six sexual harassment complainants

Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat publicly identifies herself as one of six victims in the sexual harassment case against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, citing unfair trial arrangements in Gonda ahead of Asian Games 2026.

In a move that has jolted Indian sport, Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat has come forward to disclose that she is one of six women who formally complained of sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India. Until now she had maintained anonymity, in line with Supreme Court guidelines protecting the dignity of complainants in such cases. She broke that silence on Saturday in a video statement, citing what she described as deliberate institutional pressure being mounted against her return to competition.

Breaking a long silence

Phogat was measured but unmistakably distressed as she explained her decision to speak. "The Supreme Court guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed," she said, before adding that circumstances had made it impossible for her to stay quiet any longer. "I want to say that I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing." It is the first time any of the complainants has voluntarily identified herself in the case, which remains under trial before a Delhi court.

The Gonda problem

The immediate trigger, Phogat said, was a decision by the current WFI leadership to hold the Asian Games 2026 ranking trials at a wrestling facility in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh — a town strongly associated with Brij Bhushan, who maintains a private college and substantial local influence there. She called the choice of venue anything but coincidental.

"He has his own private college, and this competition is being organised there," she said. "That every hardworking athlete will get their due there — this is something very unlikely and almost impossible." She alleged that Brij Bhushan continues to direct affairs at the federation through its current president, Sanjay Singh. "Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give — all of this will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people," she said, accusing the sports ministry of watching as a silent spectator.

Mental toll on a comeback attempt

Phogat has been working toward competitive wrestling again after stepping away following the heartbreak of Paris 2024, where she was disqualified from the gold medal final on a weight issue in one of the most controversial moments in Indian Olympic history. Her statement made clear that the prospect of competing in Gonda is deeply unsettling.

"Going to his place, to his own college, where every person would be connected to him — going there and competing in such a situation is extremely difficult," she said. "Even after that, whether I will be able to go there and give my 100 percent, I do not think so." She spoke explicitly about the psychological weight that survivors carry into competitive situations. "For a woman, competing in such a situation is very difficult, and every athlete who has gone through such a situation can relate to this."

A protest movement revisited

Phogat was one of the most prominent faces of the prolonged sit-in at Jantar Mantar in early 2023, where she, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik led wrestlers in demanding Brij Bhushan's arrest and removal. Their agitation drew national attention and eventually led to the former WFI chief stepping down, though his supporters have retained considerable influence within the federation's structure. The criminal case — which includes charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in relation to one complainant who was a minor — has moved slowly through the courts.

Pressure mounts on sports ministry

Her statement puts fresh heat on the sports ministry and its oversight of WFI. Critics have repeatedly argued that despite formal leadership changes at the federation, the old power network remains intact. Phogat's account of how referees and match outcomes could be manipulated in Gonda gives that criticism a sharper, more specific edge. Sources within the wrestling community said several other ranked wrestlers share her concerns about the venue but have not spoken publicly.

Whether the WFI or the sports ministry responds by reconsidering the venue, or pushes ahead with Gonda, will be closely watched — and is likely to define Vinesh Phogat's decision on whether she competes in the Asian Games trials at all.

Vinesh Phogat Ends 20-Month Hiatus with Return to Competitive Wrestling  

Wrestler set to compete in 57kg category at National Open Ranking Tournament after registration delay blamed on ‘technical issue’

Comeback Trail Begins in Gonda

Vinesh Phogat will step back onto the mat after nearly 20 months, marking her first competitive appearance since the Paris Olympics. The wrestler confirmed her registration for the National Open Ranking Tournament in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled in Gonda from May 10 to 12.

She will compete in the 57kg category, a shift from the 50kg weight class where she faced disqualification at the Paris Games last year.

Registration Delay Sparks Fresh Tension

The return, however, did not come without a glitch. On Tuesday morning, Vinesh posted on X saying her registration had been completed only after the link was closed the previous day. She thanked supporters but stopped short of naming anyone, though she had earlier alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was creating hurdles.

“My registration was completed this morning. I could not register yesterday because the link was closed. Thank you to everyone for your support,” she wrote.

WFI Cites Portal Glitch

Responding to the delay, WFI officials said a technical issue had affected multiple wrestlers’ entries, not just Vinesh’s. The federation claimed her registration was actually finalised on Monday night at 10:29 PM, while Vinesh’s social media post came on Tuesday morning.

“The portal faced a temporary glitch. Once the link became active, all pending entries were processed,” a federation source explained. The clarification did little to erase the underlying friction between the wrestler and the governing body, which has persisted since last year’s protests and elections.

Paris Heartbreak Still Fresh

Vinesh had entered the Paris Olympics 2024 as a strong medal contender in 50kg freestyle. She reached the final but was disqualified before the title bout after weighing in 100 grams over the limit. The disqualification, as per Olympic rules, left her without a medal.

Deeply affected, she announced her retirement on August 8. But by December 2024, she withdrew that decision, signalling her desire to compete again.

Eyes on Asian Games and LA 2028

Now 30, Vinesh is targeting the upcoming Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Gonda tournament will serve as her first test of match fitness and mental readiness.

Off the mat, she has also taken on a political role, having been elected as an MLA from the Congress party in the Haryana Assembly elections held in late 2024. Balancing both arenas will be a new challenge.

Ground Realities in Gonda

Local authorities in Gonda expect heightened security and media attention during the May 10-12 event. For wrestling fans in Uttar Pradesh’s hinterland, Vinesh’s presence is a rare opportunity to watch an Olympic-level athlete up close.

“We are preparing for large crowds, especially on the days she competes,” a district sports officer said.

The tournament will also feature other national-level wrestlers, but Vinesh remains the headline act. Her performance here could determine how quickly she regains selection for international events later this year.