New Delhi, September 9: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) response on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s plea seeking permission to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed the WFI to obtain instructions on whether Phogat could participate in the upcoming trials and listed the matter for hearing on September 17.
Phogat, through a fresh application in her pending petition, has also sought that no final order be passed in the disciplinary proceedings against her until her plea is considered by the court.
The wrestler has challenged a September 7 WFI circular that excluded her from the selection process. She has sought directions to the federation to include her among the eligible athletes and permit her to compete in the women’s selection trials scheduled for September 14 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
The trials are being conducted to select the Indian team for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships, scheduled to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1.
According to the WFI circular, trials for women wrestlers in six Olympic weight categories will be held in Delhi on September 14.
Phogat’s latest plea is part of a broader petition pending before the High Court, in which she has sought a clear and transparent policy for women athletes returning to competitive sport after pregnancy, childbirth and maternity leave.
On September 1, the High Court had considered her separate petition seeking a fair and systematic framework for female athletes resuming competition after pregnancy and childbirth.
Phogat has cited her own experience in the petition, claiming that she was required to compete directly after returning to wrestling following childbirth, despite having been away from competition during her pregnancy and recovery.
The latest proceedings concern her immediate request to participate in the selection trials, while the broader petition seeks a policy framework governing the return of women athletes to competitive sport after maternity leave.
The court’s September 17 hearing will consider the WFI’s response on Phogat’s eligibility and her request for interim relief.
