Vinesh Phogat’s comeback dreams end, loses in trials for Asian Games

New Delhi ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) : Vinesh Phogat's hopes of making India's squad for the 2026 Asian Games ended on Saturday after she lost 4-6 to Asian bronze medallist Meenakshi Goyat in the semifinals of the women's 53kg category selection trials at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

The defeat ended Vinesh's campaign after an eventful day in which she had first secured permission to compete in the 53kg category and then battled her way into the last four.

Vinesh began her campaign with a 7-1 win over Jyoti of Haryana. She then defeated Nishu in a hard-fought quarterfinal to book her place in the semifinals.

The bout against Nishu saw Vinesh fight back after falling 0-5 behind in the opening period. Nishu nearly pinned the former world championships medallist after executing a four-point throw, but Vinesh managed to survive.