Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s dream of playing in the Asian Games 2026 was shattered. On Saturday (30 May), she had to face defeat by 6-4 at the hands of Meenakshi Goyat in the semi-final bout. 31-year-old Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat lost in the trial semi-finals of 53 kg category in New Delhi. This is how his campaign ended.

Let us tell you that the two-time World Championship bronze medalist defeated Jyoti 7-1 in the first round and then defeated Nishu in a tough match, which she won on criteria, but lost to Meenakshi. Meenakshi had earlier defeated Panghal in the final in the trials of the Asian Championship.

VIDEO | Delhi: Vinesh Phogat’s Asian Games dream dashed as wrestler loses semifinal bout to Meenakshi 6-4.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/waGGmBVN3H

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 30, 2026

On Saturday morning, there was a controversy regarding which category Vinesh would play in. Vinesh was told that she was allowed to play only in the 50 kg category, because she had participated in this weight category in her last four international competitions, including the Paris Olympics.

Vinesh protested against this and accused the federation of discrimination. Vinesh said that she should be given a chance to compete in the category of her choice. After this Vinesh’s weight was found to be 53.9 kg and she was included in the 53 kg category.

What did the WFI President say on Vinesh’s allegations?

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh, while speaking to news agency PTI, said, “After Vinesh made her allegations, we allowed the officials to measure her weight. We do not want to discriminate against anyone. She had not told in which category she wanted to compete, yet we are allowing her.”

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