'Champion Haar Maanne Se Haarta Hai': Bajrang Punia Backs Vinesh Phogat After Trials Heartbreak

Last Updated:May 30, 2026, 22:25 IST

Bajrang Punia backs Vinesh Phogat after Asian Games trials defeat, highlighting her years of service and ongoing fight for fairness in Indian wrestling.

2018 Asian Games gold medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia has extended his support to Vinesh Phogat after she lost in the semifinals of the Asian Games trials, saying that the result of the trials doesn’t determine what she has done for the country.

Punia on Saturday requested Vinesh not to be disheartened by the setback and to continue her fight against the authorities, after her comeback to competitive wrestling ended in disappointment at the Asian Games selection trials in New Delhi.

Vinesh lost 4-6 against Meenakshi Goyat in the 53kg semifinals to end her hopes of making it to the Asian Games team.

“विनेश फोगाट ने वर्षों तक देश के लिए लड़कर तिरंगे का मान बढ़ाया है। एक ट्रायल का परिणाम उनके योगदान को कम नहीं कर सकता," Bajrang tweeted on Saturday evening.

Making her first competitive appearance since the heartbreaking disqualification from the Olympic final in 2024, Vinesh fought her way through controversy, an emotionally charged atmosphere and a demanding quarterfinal against Nishu Kumari.

But Vinesh’s comeback campaign ran out of steam against Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi, bringing a dramatic and emotional return to an abrupt close.

“I don’t feel I have failed. I was fighting a whole system. We had to fight for every point. I wasn’t given a fair deal. I don’t grudge the athletes who fought with me. They also had dreamt of fighting against me," Vinesh said.

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