New Delhi: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has launched a scathing attack on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after a hard-fought loss in the Asian Games trials. Vinesh claimed the federation was punishing her for speaking up against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and alleged 'blatant bias' in refereeing.
Vinesh, a three-time Olympian and a two-time World Championships medallist, lost the 53kg semi-final bout to Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat. She accused the federation of intentionally putting strong wrestlers in her half of the draw and claimed that all close calls went in her opponents' favor.
Vinesh also alleged that the federation was trying to thwart her comeback and that she had to fight an 'Olympic-size battle' every day. Despite her loss, Vinesh said she was proud of her effort and that her dream of an Olympic medal was still alive.
The federation rejected Vinesh's claims of biased refereeing, calling the trials 'professional and fair'. WFI president Sanjay Singh said that there would always be a few unsatisfied people, but that Vinesh competed in the weight she wanted and that the refereeing was fair and unbiased.
