New Delhi: “I will be back soon and see you again.”The words, dripping with defiance, were delivered with a finger pointed at the wrestling mat and the brass of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president. Sanjay Singh. It sums up the final act in the saga which is Vinesh Phogat’s emotional comeback on Saturday. More to come though, he promised.Moments ago, Vinesh Phogat’s bid to make a comeback in India’s Asian Games squad ended in disappointment. Yet, 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 prestige is far from over.“The whole system was on one side and my team and I were on the other. This is a one-sided fight. It’s not the first time I’ve lost, and we learn by losing, but when the whole system is stacked against you, and you still have the guts to fight, then I see myself as a winner,” she would later say.Outside, dark clouds had gathered over the capital. Gusty winds swept across the city before heavy rain finally started in the evening. Inside the indoor wrestling hall, tumultuous, racing and heaving, however, a storm called Vinesh had already raged throughout the day.Competing for the first time since a heartbreaking disqualification at the Paris Olympics two years ago, followed by an announcement of retirement and subsequent return to the sport after motherhood, the 31-year-old arrived at the Asian Games selection trials with more than competitive ambitions. Vinesh was looking to script Indian wrestling’s most remarkable comeback, chasing a spot in the squad for the Aichi Nagoya Games later this year.The drama for him, though, started long before he stepped on the mat.In the morning, Vinesh was told during the official weigh-in that he would only be allowed to compete in the 50 kg category, the weight class in which he had competed in his last three internationals, including Paris. The decision stunned his camp as he had approached the Delhi High Court for permission to fight trials in the 53kg division and a two-judge bench had verbally ruled in his favour.Vinesh strongly objected, accusing the federation of discriminating against him and erecting new hurdles despite the court’s intervention. After a heated exchange with WFI officials and President Singh, the federation changed its stance. Aware of inviting further legal scrutiny, the authorities eventually allowed him to weigh in the 53 kg category. Vinesh tipped the scales at 53.9 kg – a 1-kg allowance was allowed for the trials – and was included in the draw, again in the field.The first hurdle was over, then he waited nearly four hours before finally stepping onto the mat. As the wrestling started, the tension also increased.Vinesh begins his campaign against Jyothi, leading 1-0 before being cautioned for being inactive. The warning only seemed to inflame him. He responded aggressively and produced a dominant performance to secure a 7-1 victory.The quarter-final against Asian U-23 medalists Nishwe proved far more dramatic and controversial. Trailing 0-5 after nearly being pinned after a four-point throw, Vinesh looked on the brink of collapse. Nevertheless, he refused to give up. Using every break in action to catch his breath, he cleverly strategized challenging decisions and used lengthy video reviews to regroup before launching his comeback.The competition was repeatedly interrupted by challenges, reviews and technical problems with the display screens. Tempers soon flared. After Vinesh made a four-point throw and attempted a pin, her husband and coach Sombir Rathi, along with supporters, demanded the officials award a fall.A nasty confrontation ensued. Vinesh’s supporters exchanged heated words with WFI officials and Singh’s supporters. At one stage, pushing and shoving ensued as both camps debated the decision before calm heads intervened and technical officials reviewed the arrangement.Officials eventually ruled that the referee had blown the “wrong whistle”, denied the pin but allowed the bout to continue. Vinesh took advantage, scoring two points to lead 6-5 before eventually breaking through after a failed corner challenge from Nishwe.The emotional fallout was immediate. Nishwe remained on the mat in tears and refused to shake hands with Vinesh or the referee after the bout.By then, Vinesh had gained significant momentum. Whenever she found herself under pressure, she responded characteristically, going back years to show glimpses of the wrestler who once dominated Indian women’s wrestling.Now only two victories separated him from winning the trials. But standing in her way was Asian Championship silver medalist Meenakshi Goet.The semi-finals were fiercely contested. Vinesh fought tirelessly, parrying attacks and staying within touching distance everywhere. Again, reviews and challenges stalled the proceedings, while his camp questioned many of the calls. However, Meenakshi matched her intensity and won the match 6-4, ending Vinesh’s hopes of a place in the Asian Games team.The defeat gave rise to fresh despair. Vinesh and his camp members alleged unfair performance and accused the federation of bias. Even after a late challenge changed the scoreline, the result remained unchanged.Later, Olympian Antam Pinghal defeated Meenakshi 3-2 in a tense final to secure India’s 53kg berth for the Asian Games. In keeping with the mood and tenor of the day, Meenakshi criticized the result, but the spotlight was already stolen by the one she had killed earlier.For Vinesh, the comeback story ended up falling short. Yet after a day filled with weight class fights, grudge fights, repeated reviews, clashing supporters, allegations of cheating and high emotions, he made sure the last word was his.The result may have gone against him, but the promise reverberated across the field long after the final whistle. “I’ll be back soon and see you then.”Indian Women’s Team for Asian Games: Deepanshi (50 kg), Antam Pinghal (53 kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57 kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62 kg), Nisha Dahiya (68 kg) and Parel Malik (76 kg).
