Meenakshi Goyat files complaint over 53kg final loss, WFI says Antim will represent India
Synopsis
The Asian Games 2026 wrestling trials have erupted in fresh controversy — first Vinesh Phogat fought the WFI in the Supreme Court just to compete, then lost in the semis amid officiating protests, and now the finalist Meenakshi Goyat has filed her own complaint over the final. The WFI is holding firm: Antim Panghal goes to Japan.
Key Takeaways
Meenakshi Goyat filed a complaint over officiating in the women's 53 kg final of the Asian Games 2026 trials on 30 May .
WFI president Sanjay Singh confirmed the complaint but stated Antim Panghal will represent India at the Asian Games in Japan.
Vinesh Phogat had to secure Supreme Court relief to participate in the trials after the WFI initially barred her.
Phogat was eliminated in the semifinal; she and husband Somvir Rathee also protested referee calls during her quarterfinal 7-6 win.
Rathee alleged the federation 'did not want Vinesh to win' and said she will return to training for a future comeback.
Meenakshi Goyat has lodged a formal complaint over officiating in the women's 53 kg final of the Asian Games 2026 trials, after losing to Antim Panghal at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on 30 May. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) confirmed receipt of the complaint but made clear that the result will not be reversed.
WFI's Position
WFI president Sanjay Singh stated that a committee will review the complaint, but insisted the outcome stands. 'We have received Meenakshi's complaint. The committee will review the matter, but as things stand, Antim will represent India in the 53 kg category at the Asian Games,' Singh said. The Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Japan in the coming months.
Meenakshi's Path to the Final
Notably, Meenakshi Goyat had defeated two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Vinesh Phogat to advance to the semifinals before going on to contest the final. Her complaint centres on decisions made by officials during her bout against Antim Panghal, though the specific grounds have not been publicly detailed beyond the complaint's submission.
The Vinesh Phogat Controversy
The trials had already drawn significant controversy before the final. The WFI initially refused to allow Vinesh Phogat — who came out of retirement following the 2024 Paris Olympic Games — to participate. Phogat approached the Delhi High Court and subsequently secured relief from the Supreme Court after the WFI appealed. She was permitted to compete, but only in the 53 kg category rather than her preferred 57 kg.
Phogat, a two-time World Championship medallist, was eliminated in the semifinal. She and her husband Somvir Rathee had also protested referee decisions during her quarterfinal bout, which she won narrowly 7-6.
Husband and Coach Speaks Out
'We felt cheated. We challenged many of the decisions, but it appeared that the federation did not want Vinesh to win. The court battle and the entire situation involving the WFI have been mentally exhausting. But Vinesh is resilient — she will return to training, make a strong comeback, and let her performances do the talking,' said Somvir Rathee, Phogat's husband and coach.
What Happens Next
The WFI committee is expected to review Meenakshi's complaint, though the federation has signalled no change in its position. Antim Panghal is set to travel to Japan as India's representative in the 53 kg category. The repeated controversies surrounding these trials — spanning court battles, officiating disputes, and weight-category politics — have cast a shadow over the federation's selection process ahead of a major multi-sport event.
Point of View
Then facing back-to-back officiating complaints from two different wrestlers in the same weight category, is not a sign of a federation in control — it is a sign of one that has lost the confidence of its athletes. The WFI's insistence that results will stand may be procedurally defensible, but the optics are damaging at precisely the moment India needs its wrestling contingent focused on performance, not litigation.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Meenakshi Goyat file a complaint after the Asian Games trials?
Meenakshi Goyat filed a complaint over officiating decisions during her loss to Antim Panghal in the women's 53 kg final at the Asian Games 2026 trials held in New Delhi on 30 May. The WFI has confirmed receipt but says the result will not change.
Who will represent India in the 53 kg category at the Asian Games 2026?
Antim Panghal will represent India in the women's 53 kg category at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, as confirmed by WFI president Sanjay Singh. The WFI has stated that Antim's selection stands despite Meenakshi's complaint.
Why was Vinesh Phogat's participation in the trials controversial?
The WFI initially refused to allow Vinesh Phogat, who came out of retirement after the 2024 Paris Olympics, to compete in the trials. She had to approach the Delhi High Court and ultimately the Supreme Court to secure the right to participate, and was then placed in the 53 kg category rather than her preferred 57 kg.
What happened to Vinesh Phogat in the trials?
Vinesh Phogat was eliminated in the semifinal of the women's 53 kg category. She and her husband Somvir Rathee also protested referee decisions during her quarterfinal bout, which she won narrowly 7-6.
What did Somvir Rathee say about Vinesh Phogat's future?
Somvir Rathee, Vinesh's husband and coach, said the experience had been 'mentally exhausting' and alleged the federation did not want Vinesh to win. He added that Phogat would return to training and make a strong comeback.
