Asian Games 2026: Antim, Nisha Dahiya, Mansi Ahlawat headline India's women's wrestling squad after WFI trials
Synopsis
India's Asian Games 2026 women's wrestling squad is set — but the selection process left a cloud. Olympian Vinesh Phogat's 53kg semifinal exit triggered refereeing allegations from her camp, and the finalist Meenakshi Goyat also filed a complaint after losing the final to Antim. Six weight categories, six champions, and one bracket that could define the squad's pre-Games narrative.
Key Takeaways
WFI concluded women's selection trials at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi on 30 May for Asian Games 2026 .
Antim (53kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Manisha (57kg), Dipanshi (50kg), and Priya (72kg) won gold to earn squad spots.
Olympian Vinesh Phogat lost the 53kg semifinal to Meenakshi Goyat ; Vinesh and husband Somvir alleged they felt 'cheated' over refereeing.
Meenakshi Goyat also lodged a complaint over officiating after losing the 53kg final to Antim.
WFI President Sanjay Singh praised the squad's 'grit and technical brilliance' and expressed confidence in medal prospects at the Asian Games.
India's women's wrestling contingent for the Asian Games 2026 was finalised on Saturday, 30 May after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) completed its selection trials at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Grapplers Antim, Nisha Dahiya, Mansi Ahlawat, Manisha, Dipanshi, and Priya each won gold in their respective weight categories to secure their places in the national squad.
Category-by-Category Results
In the 50kg division, Dipanshi claimed gold with Priyanshi finishing as runner-up. The fiercely contested 53kg final saw Antim defeat Meenakshi Goyat for gold, while Manisha won the 57kg title over Neha Sharma.
Mansi Ahlawat captured the 62kg gold by overcoming Sarita, and Nisha Dahiya took the 68kg crown after defeating Mansi Lather. Priya rounded out the squad with gold in the 72kg category, edging out Kajal for the top spot.
Controversy in the 53kg Bracket
The trials were not without dispute. Olympian Vinesh Phogat lost a contentious semifinal bout in the 53kg category to Meenakshi Goyat, after which Vinesh and her husband Somvir publicly alleged they felt 'cheated', raising questions over the quality of refereeing. Meenakshi herself then lodged a separate complaint over officiating after losing the final to Antim — meaning both bouts in the 53kg bracket drew formal or informal grievances. This is the latest flashpoint in a weight class that has historically been among Indian wrestling's most politically charged.
What the WFI President Said
WFI President Sanjay Singh congratulated the selected athletes in a statement after the conclusion of the trials. 'I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to all the wrestlers who have performed brilliantly today and secured their places in the squad. The level of competition at the IG Stadium was exceptional, proving once again that our women's wrestling pipeline is incredibly strong,' Singh said. He added: 'These athletes have shown immense grit and technical brilliance on the mat, and I wish them the very best of luck in their endeavours at the Asian Games. We are confident they will bring immense glory to the nation.'
Road to the Asian Games
With the selection process now complete, the finalised squad will enter an intensive preparation phase ahead of the continental showpiece. The trials' competitive intensity — and the controversies they generated — suggest India will arrive at the Asian Games 2026 with a battle-tested but internally scrutinised squad. How the WFI handles the outstanding officiating complaints before the Games will be closely watched by athletes and administrators alike.
Point of View
Followed by the finalist also filing a complaint, means two of the three bouts in India's most watched weight class are now disputed. The WFI must resolve these grievances transparently before the Asian Games, or risk the controversy overshadowing what is otherwise a strong and competitive squad. Singh's congratulatory statement, while appropriate, sidesteps the officiating questions entirely — and that silence may prove costly if the complaints escalate.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the key wrestlers selected for India's women's wrestling squad for Asian Games 2026?
The squad includes Antim (53kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Manisha (57kg), Dipanshi (50kg), and Priya (72kg), all of whom won gold at the WFI selection trials held on 30 May in New Delhi.
What was the controversy at the WFI women's wrestling trials?
The 53kg category was the most disputed. Olympian Vinesh Phogat lost her semifinal to Meenakshi Goyat and, along with her husband Somvir, alleged they felt 'cheated' over the refereeing. Meenakshi then filed her own officiating complaint after losing the final to Antim.
Where and when were the WFI women's selection trials held?
The trials were held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, 30 May, and were organised by the Wrestling Federation of India ahead of the Asian Games 2026.
What happens to the selected wrestlers next?
The finalised squad will now enter an intensive preparatory phase to fine-tune strategies and fitness ahead of the Asian Games 2026. The WFI has also not yet publicly addressed the outstanding officiating complaints from the 53kg bracket.
Did Vinesh Phogat qualify for the Asian Games 2026?
No. Vinesh Phogat did not qualify for the Asian Games 2026 squad after losing her 53kg semifinal bout to Meenakshi Goyat at the WFI selection trials. Vinesh and her husband alleged the refereeing in that bout was unfair.
