Wushu athlete Divyanshi Choudhary accepts federation’s decision to drop her from Asian Games team, alleging harassment by Roshibina Devi

NEW DELHI: A day after publicly questioning her wushu exclusion from India’s Asian Games, Divyanshi Choudhary has changed her tune, saying she now understands why the federation decided to withdraw her from the team and that her priority is to recover from a knee injury.In a video message, the wushu athlete said officials explained to her that her health must come first and that she would need to regain full fitness before returning to competition.“My federation explained a lot to me. And they explained to me that the health of the players comes first for my federation,” said Divyanshi. “That’s why my federation wants me to recover from the injury first. I’ll recover from the injury and then I’ll be back on the field.”Divyanshi had earlier claimed that she was left out of the Asian Games squad at the last minute despite winning the final selection trial against two-time Asian Games medalist Roshibina Devi Naorem. However, the Wushu Association of India claimed that she was injured and that a medical report by the Sports Authority of India had advised her to stay away from competition until she recovered.The medical report became central to the dispute. An MRI showed a partial to high-grade ACL tear, while the SAI medical report subsequently recommended rehabilitation, regular monitoring and refraining from competitive or full training until recovery.In her latest report, Divyanshi said several people spoke to her and helped her understand the federation’s position. She named Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, WAI President Jitender Singh Bajwa, Rajesh Singh, Sushil Kumar Handu, her coach Ashok Gautam, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajeev Dutta among those who explained the situation to her.“I wasn’t able to understand all these things. I wasn’t able to understand anything,” she said. “Everyone sir and madam from the party explained it to me. First, your health is your fitness for all of us. I will focus on my health and fitness.”So, the 2026 Asian Games will be held without Divyanshi, but the athlete insists that this is not the end of her campaign. Instead, they are already looking ahead to next year with ambitions to win gold medals.Divyanshi also spoke about Roshibina and reiterated her allegation that her fellow athlete was psychologically harassing her and that it affected her family as well. She said the alleged harassment had continued since June.“Roshabhina Didi who mentally and physically harassed me and my family. I will never forget that a player can stoop to such levels,” she said.Divyanshi said that the episode initially made her believe that the federation did not support her. Now she says she has changed her perspective.“Then I understood that my federation is not with me. But my federation is with me. Everyone supported me and explained to me. Now I understood that everyone is with me,” she said.