Wrestling Federation of India on Wednesday unveiled the eligibility criteria and schedule for the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, with the new rules effectively ruling returning wrestler Vinesh Phogat out of contention for participation in the trials.
The federation clarified that only medal winners from specific domestic competitions held during the qualification cycle will be eligible to compete in the selection process. A key clause in the criteria also states that “past performance will not be considered,” shutting the door on direct entry for experienced wrestlers based on previous achievements.
Vinesh, 31, is preparing for a comeback to competitive wrestling after nearly 18 months away from the mat. She is expected to return at the National Open Ranking Tournament in the 57kg category. However, under the newly-announced guidelines, that appearance alone will not make her eligible for the Asian Games trials.
According to the WFI criteria, participation in the trials will only be open to medal winners from three designated tournaments. These include the 2025 Senior National Wrestling Championship held in Ahmedabad from December 12 to 14, 2025, the 2026 Senior Federation Cup staged in Ghaziabad from February 12 to 14, 2026, and the Under-20 National Wrestling Championship conducted in Bhilai between April 10 and 12, 2026.
The federation’s decision marks a significant shift toward a performance-based qualification structure focused entirely on recent domestic results rather than reputation or international pedigree.
The women’s wrestling trials are scheduled to take place on May 30 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, while the freestyle and Greco-Roman selection trials will be held a day later on May 31 at the SAI Regional Centre.
The trials will cover all 18 Olympic weight categories across freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling divisions.
In freestyle wrestling, the categories include 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg. The Greco-Roman section will feature 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg and 130kg categories. Women wrestlers will compete in the 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg and 76kg divisions.
The exclusion of Vinesh from the trials is expected to trigger discussion within Indian wrestling circles given her stature and achievements in the sport. One of India’s most recognisable wrestlers, Vinesh has remained in the spotlight even during her absence from competition and her attempted return was seen as a major development ahead of the Asian Games cycle.
With the WFI making recent domestic performance the sole benchmark for qualification, wrestlers across all categories will now have to rely entirely on results from the approved tournaments to earn a place in the national selection trials.
