Vinesh Phogat’s defiant comeback ends amid drama, disputes and heartbreak at Asian Games trials

New Delhi: “I will come back soon and will see you then.”

Words, dripping with defiance, were delivered with a pointed finger towards the wrestling mat and in the direction of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) brass and its president, Sanjay Singh. It summed up the final act in the saga that is the Vinesh Phogat comeback on an emotionally-sapping Saturday. More is to come though, she has promised.

Moments earlier, Vinesh Phogat’s bid to force her way back into India’s Asian Games squad had ended in disappointment. Yet, as she walked away from the mat at the Indira Gandhi stadium, the two-time World Championships medallist and three-time Olympian made it clear that her fight for dignity was far from over.

“The entire system was on one side and my team and I were on the other side. It’s a one-sided fight. This isn’t the first time I’m losing, and we learn only by losing, but when the entire system stands against you, and yet you have the courage to fight, then I see myself as a winner,” she would say later.

Outside, dark clouds had gathered over the Capital. Gusty winds swept across the city before heavy rain finally broke in the evening. Inside the indoor wrestling hall, raucous, racing and heaving, however, a storm named Vinesh had already raged right through the day.

Competing for the first time since her heartbreaking disqualification at the Paris Olympics two years ago, a subsequent retirement announcement and later return to the sport following motherhood, the 31-year-old arrived at the Asian Games selection trials carrying far more than competitive ambitions. Vinesh was attempting to script one of Indian wrestling’s most remarkable comebacks, chasing a place in the squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Games later this year.

The drama for her, though, began long before she stepped onto the mat.

In the morning, Vinesh was informed during the official weigh-in that she would only be permitted to compete in the 50kg category, the weight class in which she had competed at her last three international events, including Paris. The decision stunned her camp because she had approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to contest the trials in the 53kg division, and the two-judge bench had orally ruled in her favour.

Vinesh strongly objected, accusing the federation of discriminating against her and creating fresh obstacles despite court intervention. Following a heated exchange with WFI officials and president Singh, the federation reversed its position. Conscious of inviting further legal scrutiny, officials eventually allowed her to weigh in for the 53kg category. Vinesh tipped the scales at 53.9 kg — a 1-kg weight tolerance had been allowed for the trials — and she was included in the draw, back in the fray.

The first hurdle cleared, she then endured a wait of nearly four hours before finally stepping onto the mat. When the wrestling began, so did the tension.

Vinesh opened her campaign against Jyothi, leading 1-0 before being warned for passivity. The warning only seemed to ignite her. She responded aggressively, producing a dominant finish to secure a 7-1 victory.

The quarterfinal against Asian Under-23 medallist Nishu proved far more dramatic and controversial. Trailing 0-5 after nearly being pinned following a four-point throw, Vinesh appeared on the brink of elimination. Yet she refused to yield. Using every break in proceedings to recover her breath, she cleverly deployed a strategy of challenging decisions and utilising lengthy video reviews to regroup before launching her comeback.

The contest was repeatedly interrupted by challenges, reviews and technical issues with the display screens. Tempers soon began to flare. After Vinesh executed a four-point throw and attempted a pin, her husband and coach Sombir Rathi, along with supporters, demanded that officials award the fall.

What followed was an ill-tempered confrontation. Vinesh’s supporters exchanged heated words with WFI officials and supporters of Singh. At one stage, pushing and shoving broke out as both camps argued over the decision before calmer heads intervened and technical officials reviewed the sequence.

Officials eventually ruled that the referee had blown a “wrong whistle", denying the pin but allowing the bout to continue. Vinesh capitalised, taking a 6-5 lead after scoring two more points before eventually progressing after a failed challenge from Nishu’s corner.

The emotional fallout was immediate. Nishu remained on the mat in tears and refused to shake hands with either Vinesh or the referee after the bout.

By then, Vinesh appeared to have gathered vital momentum. Every time she found herself under pressure, she responded with characteristic grit, rolling back the years to showcase flashes of the wrestler who once dominated Indian women’s wrestling.

Just two victories now separated her from winning the trials. But standing in her path was Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat.

The semi-final was fiercely contested. Vinesh fought relentlessly, countering attacks and staying within touching distance throughout. Once again, reviews and challenges punctuated the action, while her camp questioned several calls. However, Meenakshi matched her intensity and edged the contest 6-4, ending Vinesh’s hopes of earning a place in the Asian Games squad.

The defeat sparked fresh frustration. Vinesh and members of her camp alleged unfair officiating and accused the federation of bias. Even after a late challenge altered the scoreline, the result remained unchanged.

Later, Olympian Antim Panghal defeated Meenakshi 3-2 in a tense final to secure India’s 53kg berth for the Asian Games. In keeping with the mood and tenor of the day, Meenakshi railed at the result, but the spotlight had already been stolen by the one she had beaten earlier.

For Vinesh, the comeback story ended short of its destination. Yet after a day filled with weight-category battles, ill-tempered bouts, repeated reviews, supporters clashing, allegations of cheating and emotions running high, she ensured the final word belonged to her.

The result may have gone against her, but the promise echoed around the arena long after the final whistle. “I will come back soon and will see you then.”

India’s women’s squad for Asian Games: Dipanshee (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and Priyal Malik (76kg).

Stay updated with IPL Live Score and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.