New Delhi: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat said she has “not failed” despite crashing out of the Asian Games selection trials on Saturday, asserting that her fight extended beyond the wrestling mat and promising to return stronger.
The two-time World Championship medallist bowed out of the women’s 53-kg category after suffering a narrow 4-6 semifinal defeat to Meenakshi Goyat in a closely contested bout.
Speaking after the loss, Vinesh struck a defiant note.
“I have not failed,” she said, adding that she had been battling what she described as an unfair system.
“I was fighting a whole system, I was on one side and everyone else on the other,” Vinesh said, referring to her long-running dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
The former Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist claimed she was not given a level playing field during the selection process.
“I had to fight for every point. I was not given a fair deal,” she said.
Despite the disappointment, Vinesh made it clear that she has no plans to step away from the sport.
“I will continue preparing and come back stronger,” she said, though she did not specify her next competitive event.
Her participation in the trials came after legal intervention. The Supreme Court had earlier allowed her to compete after a favourable ruling from the Delhi High Court, which enabled her inclusion in the selection process.
The day began amid fresh controversy over her weight category. During the official weigh-in, Vinesh was reportedly informed that she would only be allowed to compete in the 50-kg division, as her last four international appearances, including the Paris Olympics, had been in that category.
The decision sparked objections from the wrestler, who accused the federation of discrimination and argued that she should be free to compete in the 53-kg class.
According to sources present at the venue, the dispute escalated before WFI president Sanjay Singh intervened and eventually permitted Vinesh to participate in the 53-kg trials as well.
Although her campaign ended in the semifinals, Vinesh’s participation and subsequent remarks ensured that the spotlight remained firmly on the ongoing tensions between the celebrated wrestler and the national federation.
