Vinesh Phogat’s defiant comeback ends amid drama, controversy and heartbreak on Asian Games courts

New Delhi: “I’ll be back soon and see you then.”The words, dripping with defiance, were delivered with a finger pointed towards the wrestling mat and towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) brass and its president Sanjay Singh. It summed up the final act of the saga which is Vinesh Phogat’s comeback on an emotionally draining Saturday. But more will come, she promised.A while back, Vinesh Phogat’s bid to force his way back into India’s Asian Games squad ended in disappointment. Still, as she walked off the mat at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the two-time World Championship medalist and three-time Olympian made it clear that her fight for dignity is far from over.“The whole system was on one side and my team and I were on the other side. It’s a one-sided fight. It’s not the first time I lose and we only learn by losing, but when the whole system is against you and you still have the courage to fight, then I see myself as a winner,” she later said.Outside, dark clouds gathered over the Capital. Strong winds blew through the city before heavy rain finally broke in the evening. However, a storm called Vinesh had been raging inside the indoor wrestling hall for the past day.For the first time since her heartbreaking disqualification at the Paris Olympics two years ago, then announcing her retirement and later returning to the sport after motherhood, the 31-year-old arrived at the Asian Games selection trials with much more than competitive ambitions. Attempting to script one of Indian wrestling’s most remarkable comebacks, Vinesh was eyeing a place in the squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Games later this year.However, the drama for her started long before she stepped on the mat.In the morning, during the official weigh-in, Vinesh was informed that she would only be allowed to compete in the 50 kg category, the weight category in which she had competed in her last three international events, including Paris. The decision stunned her camp as she approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to challenge the trials in the 53kg division and a two-judge bench orally ruled in her favour.Vinesh strongly protested and accused the federation of discriminating against her and creating new hurdles despite the court’s intervention. After a heated exchange with WFI officials and President Singh, the federation reversed its stance. Mindful of inviting further legal scrutiny, officials eventually allowed her to weigh in for the 53kg category. Vinesh tipped the scales at 53.9kg – a weight tolerance of 1kg was allowed for the trials – and was put into the draw, back into the fray.The first hurdle was cleared, then she endured a wait of nearly four hours before she finally stepped onto the mat. As the match began, so did the tension.Vinesh started her campaign against Jyothi and led 1-0 before being cautioned for passivity. The warning only seemed to inflame her. She responded aggressively, producing a dominant finish to secure a 7-1 victory.The quarter-final against Asian under-23 medalist Nishu proved far more dramatic and controversial. Vinesh was on the brink of elimination when he was almost pinned after a four-point toss as he finished 0-5. Still, she refused to back down. She used every break in driving to catch her breath and smartly deployed a strategy of tough decisions, using a lengthy video review to regroup before launching her comeback.The competition was repeatedly interrupted by challenges, reviews and technical problems with the screens. Tempers soon began to flare. After Vinesh made a four-point throw and attempted a pin, her husband and coach Sombir Rathi along with supporters demanded that the officials honor the fall.A fierce confrontation ensued. Vinesh’s supporters exchanged heated words with WFI officials and Singh’s supporters. At one stage pushing and shoving broke out as both camps argued over a decision before calmer heads intervened and technical officials reviewed the sequence.Officials eventually ruled that the referee had “whistled incorrectly” and disallowed the pin, but let the match continue. Vinesh capitalized to take a 6-5 lead after scoring two more points before finally advancing after a failed challenge from Nishu’s corner.The emotional impact was immediate. Nishu was left on the mat in tears and refused to shake hands with Vinesh and the referee after the match.That’s when Vinesh seemed to get a major boost. Every time she found herself under pressure, she responded with characteristic grit and rolled back the years to show flashes of the wrestler who once dominated Indian women’s wrestling.She was now just two wins away from winning the trials. But standing in her way was Asian Championship silver medalist Meenakshi Goyat.The semi-final was exciting. Vinesh battled relentlessly, countering the attacks and staying in touch throughout. Again, reviews and calls punctuated the event, while several calls were disputed by her camp. However, Meenakshi matched her intensity and took the match 6-4, ending Vinesh’s hopes of a place in the Asian Games squad.Defeat created new frustration. Vinesh and members of her camp alleged unfair officiating and accused the federation of bias. Even after a late challenge changed the score, the result remained unchanged.Later, Olympian Antim Panghal defeated Meenakshi 3-2 in a thrilling final to secure India’s 53kg berth at the Asian Games. In keeping with the mood and tenor of the day, Meenakshi resented the result, but the spotlight had already been stolen by the one she had defeated earlier.For Vinesh, the comeback story ended shortly before the finish line. Yet after a day full of weight class battles, wild matches, repeated reviews, fan clashes, accusations of cheating and tumultuous emotions, she made sure she got the last word.The result might have gone against her, but the promise reverberated through the arena long after the final whistle. “I’ll be back soon and see you then.Indian Women’s Team for Asian Games: Dipanshee (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Nisha Dahiya (68 kg) a Priyal Malik (76 kg).