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Vinesh Phogat Fails To Qualify For Asian Games After Semifinal Defeat At Trials
Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium: Vinesh Phogat's dramatic return to competitive wrestling ended in disappointment on Saturday as the former World Championships medallist failed to qualify for the Asian Games 2026 after suffering a 4-6 defeat to Meenakshi Goyat in the women's 53kg semifinals at the selection trials here at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
This defeat marks the end of Vinesh’s bid for a comeback and her chance to qualify for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, later this year. The loss concluded an eventful and emotionally intense 48-hour span for the 31-year-old, who had only been allowed to compete after interventions by the Supreme Court and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Vinesh entered the trials amid considerable uncertainty over her participation. The WFI had initially restricted her to the 50kg category, a decision she strongly opposed. Following discussions within the federation and intervention from WFI president Sanjay Singh, the decision was revised on Saturday morning, allowing her to compete in her preferred 53kg division.
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