Vinesh Phogat has effectively been shut out of the 2026 Asian Games selection process after the Wrestling Federation of India announced eligibility criteria for the upcoming trials. According to the WFI circular released on Wednesday, only medal winners from the 2025 Senior National Wrestling Championships, the 2026 Senior Federation Cup, and the Under-20 National Wrestling Championships will be eligible to compete in the Asian Games selection trials later this month. The criteria leaves Vinesh ineligible, as the former world championships medallist has not competed since the Paris Olympics and therefore does not meet the qualification requirements laid out by the federation. Comeback plans hit setback amid fresh controversy The development comes less than a week after Vinesh announced her return to wrestling following an 18-month absence from the sport. She was expected to compete in the women’s 57kg category at the Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. However, the wrestler recently alleged that she faced difficulties in registration and raised concerns over the venue being located in Gonda, the political stronghold of former WFI president …