With yet another legal victory, Vinesh Phogat is expected to return to the mat on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Stadium for the Asian Games trials, though neither her camp nor the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is willing to reveal the weight category in which she will compete.Vinesh last competed in the 50kg category. She had earlier indicated that she would return in the 57kg division during the National Ranking Series. However, speculation is rife that she may instead compete in the 53kg category, where Antim Panghal is a regular contender.Sources in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) said they had not received any communication from Vinesh regarding her preferred weight category for the trials.Whatever category she chooses, the comeback has already turned into a test of nerves for the wrestler amid a tense and hostile standoff with the federation ever since she announced her return last December.People close to Vinesh told The Tribune that they were prepared for a legal battle with the WFI. According to her close aides, Vinesh is in good shape and fighting fit after five months of training in Bengaluru under a foreign coach.“She trained with both female and male wrestlers as sparring partners. When it comes to preparation, Vinesh pushes herself to the limit,” one of her aides said.However, sports observers such as Tejpal Dalal, a wrestling historian from Haryana, said the WFI was wrong in trying to stall her comeback.“It appeared to be a game of one-upmanship between Vinesh and the WFI ahead of the trials. After she returned from Bengaluru and announced her participation in the National Ranking Tournament in Gonda, the manner in which the WFI tried to stall her comeback could have been demoralising for her,” Dalal said.“Kudos to Vinesh and her team for not giving up and taking the matter to the High Court. The court not only reprimanded the WFI, but also directed it to allow her to participate in the trials. The apex court’s decision today has further boosted her confidence ahead of a high-pressure contest,” he added.


