What caused the controversy during the match between Vinesh Phogat and Nishu in the Asian Games 2026 trials? How did Vinesh Phogat get permission to participate in the trial after the Supreme Court’s decision? Why was Vinesh Phogat’s Asian Games 2026 dream shattered despite winning in the quarter-finals? What did Vinesh Phogat promise to the audience after losing in the semi-finals?
India’s three-time Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s victory over Nishu in the trials for the Asian Games 2026 got embroiled in a major controversy. There was a lot of uproar over the result of this quarter-final match held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, 30 May. Vinesh Phogat returned to the mat for the first time after the Paris 2024 Olympics. He had to fight a long legal battle to participate in this trial. In fact, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had initially disqualified him for not participating in recent domestic competitions. Later the Supreme Court allowed him to attend the trial.
The WFI had allowed Vinesh to compete in the 50 kg category, in which she had competed, at the Paris 2024 Olympics. But Vinesh wanted to return to her old 53 kg category. Ultimately, the Haryana MLA was allowed to compete in her preferred weight category.
Vinesh Phogat and Nishu’s match surrounded by controversies
Vinesh Phogat defeated Nishu in the quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals and moved closer to the Asian Games 2026. But this match was full of controversies and uproar. There was a lot of chaos in the match due to refereeing decisions, technical glitches and administrative tension. When Vinesh was trailing 0-5, she tried to pin Nishu. But then the referee stopped the match and gave four points to Vinesh. This decision enraged Vinesh’s camp and her husband Somveer Rathi threw a water bottle in anger.
However, Vinesh’s team successfully challenged the early decision and took a 6-5 lead. But the controversy did not stop here. On an arm throw, Vinesh’s camp felt that she should have got four points instead of two, which she did not get. Additionally, the official review monitor also stopped working at a crucial juncture in the match, causing further confusion and delays.
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Maintaining composure in the last seconds, Vinesh won 7-6. But her rival Nishu was heartbroken by this defeat. She kept crying on the mat and refused to even shake hands with Vinesh or the referee. Vinesh consoled Nishu by patting him on the back before leaving the mat.
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With the defeat from Vinesh, Nishu’s journey in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials ended. Now she will not be able to qualify for this big event to be held in Japan in September-October.
Vinesh’s Asian Games dream broken after losing in semi-finals
Vinesh Phogat’s dream of participating in the Asian Games this year was finally shattered. In the semi-finals, Meenakshi Goyat defeated her 4-6 in a tough match. The journey of Vinesh, who was a two-time Asian Games medalist including gold in 2018, ended in these selection trials held in New Delhi. Despite the high drama in the quarter-finals, the loss to Goyat ended his bid in his preferred 53 kg category. This is the same category in which she wanted to fight instead of the 50 kg category in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Vinesh Phogat promises to make a strong comeback after losing to Meenakshi Goyat in the semi-finals. He told the audience present there:
“I will come again.”
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Participating in the prestigious Asian Games remains a big goal for Vinesh Phogat, even if the 2026 selection trials have barred her path. Now the experienced Indian wrestler will consider her future training and competition schedule and learn from this experience to think about the next steps in her career.