Vinesh Phogat targets WFI after 'giving her best' in Asian Games trials: 'Entire system on one side, I'm on other'

Elite wrestler Vinesh Phogat has said that the Wrestling Federation of India made things difficult for her at the Asian Games selection trials where she lost in the semifinals to Meenakshi Goyat on Saturday, May 30 in New Delhi.

After continuous stand-off with the federation, Vinesh finally made her wrestling comeback at the Asian Games trials thanks to a nod from the Supreme Court. The Olympian participated in the 53 kg category but that too became controversial after WFI initially refused to allow her to participate in her preferred weight division.

One of the two bouts that she won also came under controversy with multiple challenges and technical failures of the screens. Her hopes of competing in Asian Games finally ended in the third bout as Goyat defeated the star wrestler 6-4.

Vinesh alleges bias after semifinal defeat

"I will come back," Vinesh declared in the arena after losing her semifinal bout.

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Speaking to media after her defeat, Vinesh said that she gave her best and also alleged biasness, saying that everything was pitted against her.

"I did well, I did the best I could... I think I'll work harder," the wrestler, who recently gave birth, told news agency ANI.

"Everyone knows how much manipulation happened. The whole country knows, and it's been going on for a long time; everyone can see it... The entire media meaning was watching. There were problems from morning till evening, and from evening onwards, there was a fight going on over every point.

"The entire system is standing on one side, and we are all standing on the other side, but we can proudly say that we are standing tall against them and will continue to fight," she said.

Vinesh also expressed gratitude for the courts for letting her compete.

"I am very grateful to the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court for granting permission. That is why I was able to compete on the mat today; otherwise, they would not have allowed me to compete on the mat under any circumstances," the star told PTI.

She said that things were biased but vowed to train so hard that she would overcome the "cheating" happening against her.

"Obviously, there was biasness. I want to train so hard that even those who are cheating will be left behind. I want to improve to such an extent that, despite their cheating, they will not be able to defeat me. I will continue to work hard, train even harder, and perform even better," the wrestler said.

Phogat, a Congress MLA from Haryana, has been at odds with the federation ever since she led the protest against former WFI head Brij Bushan Sharan Singh who remains accused of sexual harassment.