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New Delhi. Vinesh Phogat, who is trying to make a comeback in international wrestling, has suffered a big setback. The Delhi High Court has refused to grant him interim relief to participate in the Indian selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championship. After the court's decision, Vinesh will not be able to appear in the trials to be held on September 14 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma late on Thursday night rejected Vinesh's plea for interim relief. The court said that no individual player can be given separate exemption in the eligibility criteria set by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

The court said in its order that the rules laid down in the circular issued on September 7, 2026 will apply equally to all wrestlers. A player who does not participate in the scheduled competitions is not included in the WFI's prescribed eligibility categories.

Could not play qualifying event due to motherhood

Vinesh had challenged the new selection rules of WFI in the court. The circular issued on September 7 sets out the eligibility criteria for the 2026 Senior World Championship trials in six Olympic weight categories.

Under these conditions, medal winners of the prescribed competitions, wrestlers included in the National Coaching Camp and wrestlers selected for the 2026 Under-20 World Championship have been considered eligible for the trials.

Vinesh's argument was that due to motherhood she could not participate in many important qualifying competitions. He said that due to the current rules, the way for him to reach the World Championship trials has been closed.

However, Vinesh did not directly demand selection in the Indian World Championship team. All she wanted was the opportunity to participate in the trials. After this, the selection in the team was to be decided on the basis of their performance.

Example of Asian Games trials also given

Vinesh also cited the Asian Games selection trials held on May 30 in her petition. She participated in the 53 kg weight category and reached the semi-finals by winning the quarter-final match.

Her argument was that after becoming a mother, she had returned to training and competitions again. In such a situation, he should get a chance to prove his fitness and performance. Vinesh became a mother in July 2025. After this he started training again and tried to return to competitive wrestling.

What did the court say?

At present, Delhi High Court has not declared the entire selection policy of WFI as right or wrong. The court made it clear that a final decision is yet to be taken on the broad legal questions raised in Vinesh's petition.

The Court also held that circumstances such as pregnancy, childbirth and subsequent recovery should be taken into account when considering the validity of WFI's policy. But based on these circumstances, it was not considered appropriate to give immediate interim relief to Vinesh.

An important concern of the court was also about equality. If only Vinesh is allowed to appear in the trial, then the question of rights and equality of other players who are going through similar situations but have not come before the court may arise.

The issue of return of players after motherhood was also .

Vinesh's petition is not limited to the September 14 trial only. A large part of this is linked to the demand for a clear and systematic policy for female players to return to the game after pregnancy and motherhood.

Vinesh has demanded a transparent selection process and alternative arrangements for a situation in which a female player is unable to participate in the mandatory qualifying competition due to motherhood.

In this sense, Thursday's order excludes her from the World Championship trials for the time being, but her broader legal questions to the WFI's selection policy and the return of women players after motherhood remain before the court.

WFI's disciplinary action also challenged

Vinesh has also challenged the disciplinary action initiated by WFI. He has demanded cancellation of two show-cause notices issued in May and June. At the same time, WFI says that Vinesh was given ample opportunities to present her side before its disciplinary panel.

World Championship in Astana from 24 October

The 2026 Senior World Championship is to be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1. At present, after the order of Delhi High Court, Vinesh Phogat will not be able to participate in the Indian selection trials to be held on September 14. However, their major legal battle to the return of women players to the game after motherhood and giving them fair opportunities in the selection process is still going on.