Sports Minister intervenes in Wushu controversy, Divyanshi accepts Asian Games
Wushu player Divyanshi Choudhary quelled her anger against the sport’s national federation following the intervention of Sports Minister Mansukha Mandaviya. Divyanshi threatened to kill herself in a video message after she was dropped from the Indian Asian Games team due to a knee injury.
But the ministry’s intervention meant the teenage athlete softened her stance on the federation’s criticism, saying the body had helped her understand the importance of recovering from injury.
WHY WAS DIVYANSHI ELIMINATED FROM ASIAD?
Divyanshi was initially included in the seven-member Indian wushu team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in a list released by the Sports Ministry on 22 August. On Friday, she was replaced by two-time Asian Games medalist Naorem Roshibina Devi in the women’s 60kg sanda category after the federation said she suffered a torn ACL in her left knee.
Divyanshi had earlier questioned the decision in a video, claiming that doctors had cleared her to compete in the Asian Games despite the injury. However, in a recent video, the 18-year-old said she has now accepted the federation’s decision and will focus on her recovery before returning to competition.
“My federation helped me to understand that health is most important so that I can win a medal for India in future. I thought my federation was not with me but now I understand that they are with me and will give their support to win gold in 2030 Asian Games,” Divyanshi said in a new video.
“The federation wants me to fully recover from my injury and then come back to action. I was not able to understand that. Even the sports minister (Mansukh Mandaviya) made me understand the importance of recovering from injury.”
Divyanshi also said that the federation and Sports Authority of India have assured her of their support as she returns from injury.
“My federation and SAI have also offered me their full support. I will focus on my health and fitness and be back in the ring soon. My parents have also told me that I have to prepare for the next matches and not think about this one,” she added.
ROSHIBINA HARASSED ME: DIVYANSHI
While Divyanshi softened her stance against the federation, she did not withdraw her allegations against Roshibina, who was included in the Asian Games team as her replacement.
Divyanshi accused the two-time Asian Games medalist of harassing her and her family, claiming the behavior continued for months.
“Roshibina has been harassing me and my family mentally and physically. I can’t believe that a sportsperson can stoop to this level. She has been doing this since June till now, constantly harassing me and my family,” Divyanshi said.
The latest video marks a shift in Divyanshi’s position after she publicly expressed her disappointment at being left out of the Asian Games squad. She now says she is focusing on recovering from her ACL injury and preparing for her next opportunity, while her allegations against Roshibina remain part of the controversy surrounding her suspension.
Roshibina, meanwhile, will represent India in the women’s 60kg sanda category at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
13 Sep 2026 13:51 IST