Vinesh Phogat misses 2026 Asian Games after 4-6 loss; husband alleges WFI bias
Synopsis
Vinesh Phogat's bid to reach the 2026 Asian Games ended in a narrow 4-6 semifinal defeat — but the bigger story is what followed: her husband and coach alleging the WFI actively wanted her to lose, and Vinesh herself claiming federation officials cheered her elimination. With a Supreme Court intervention already in the backdrop, this is far from over.
Key Takeaways
Vinesh Phogat lost 4-6 to Meenakshi Goyat in the women's 53kg semifinals at the Asian Games selection trials on Saturday at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi .
Husband and coach Somvir Rathee alleged the WFI 'did not want Vinesh to win' and said the family 'felt cheated.' Vinesh claimed WFI officials celebrated her defeat and said the federation wanted her 'to die quickly.' The Supreme Court had to intervene to allow Vinesh to compete in the 53kg category after WFI initially restricted her to 50kg .
Meenakshi Goyat will now represent India in the 53kg category at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya .
Vinesh Phogat failed to secure a berth in the Indian squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after suffering a 4-6 defeat to Meenakshi Goyat in the women's 53kg semifinals at the selection trials held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, on Saturday. Her husband and coach, Somvir Rathee, has since alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) actively worked against her during the process, saying the family felt 'cheated.'
What Somvir Rathee Alleged
Speaking after the trials, Rathee did not hold back in his criticism of the federation. '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,' he said.
Rathee's remarks echoed those made by Vinesh herself, who claimed WFI officials celebrated her defeat at the trials. 'WFI officials were cheering when I lost. Let them celebrate for now. I'm incredibly stubborn and driven, and setbacks only fuel my determination. I'll make a comeback, and when I do, I'll silence every doubter with my performance. Right now, the federation wants me to die quickly — that's what they think,' Phogat said after the loss.
The Road to the Trials
Vinesh's participation in the selection trials had remained in doubt until the final hours. The WFI had initially restricted her to the 50kg category — a decision she contested. Following intervention by the Supreme Court and subsequent discussions within the federation, she was eventually permitted to compete in her preferred 53kg division.
Despite returning from a prolonged competitive break, Vinesh showed early promise, defeating Jyoti by 7-1 and then edging past Nishu 7-6 in the quarterfinals. However, Goyat produced a composed performance in the semifinals to win 6-4 and book her place in the Asian Games squad.
Background: A Prolonged Dispute with WFI
The friction between Vinesh and the WFI is not new. The former World Championships medallist was among the wrestlers who publicly protested against the federation's leadership in 2023, leading to a prolonged legal and institutional standoff. Her return to competitive wrestling has been shadowed by this ongoing dispute, with the weight-category controversy at the trials being the latest flashpoint.
Notably, the Supreme Court's intervention to allow her to compete in the 53kg category underscores the depth of the institutional conflict — a sitting wrestler requiring judicial relief to participate in a domestic selection event is an extraordinary circumstance.
What Happens Next
Meenakshi Goyat will now represent India in the women's 53kg category at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Rathee indicated that Vinesh intends to continue training and target a comeback through competitive performances. Whether the federation dispute escalates further — legally or institutionally — remains to be seen.
Point of View
Not just a news cycle. The WFI has not publicly responded to either charge, and that silence is itself telling. Indian wrestling's governance crisis, which burst into public view in 2023, has clearly not been resolved — it has merely moved from protest sites to courtrooms and selection venues.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vinesh Phogat miss the 2026 Asian Games?
Vinesh Phogat failed to qualify for the 2026 Asian Games after losing 4-6 to Meenakshi Goyat in the women's 53kg semifinals at the national selection trials held in New Delhi on Saturday. Goyat will now represent India in the category at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
What did Vinesh Phogat's husband Somvir Rathee allege about the WFI?
Somvir Rathee alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India did not want Vinesh to win during the selection trials, saying the family 'felt cheated.' He also described the ongoing court battle and institutional conflict with the WFI as 'mentally exhausting.'
What did Vinesh Phogat say about WFI officials after her defeat?
Vinesh claimed that WFI officials were cheering when she lost her semifinal match. She also alleged that the federation wanted her 'to die quickly,' while vowing to return stronger and silence her critics through her performances.
Why did the Supreme Court intervene in Vinesh Phogat's selection trial?
The WFI had initially restricted Vinesh to the 50kg category for the trials, a decision she contested. Following Supreme Court intervention and internal federation discussions, she was allowed to compete in her preferred 53kg division.
Who is Meenakshi Goyat and what is her role now?
Meenakshi Goyat is the wrestler who defeated Vinesh Phogat 6-4 in the 53kg semifinals. She will now represent India in the women's 53kg category at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
