The Delhi High Court has brought renewed attention to the challenges women athletes face when pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery interrupt their competitive careers. The observations came while the court was hearing wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s request for interim permission to participate in the Wrestling Federation of India’s selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships.
The court noted that women athletes can lose valuable competitive opportunities during maternity breaks while male athletes continue participating, winning medals and strengthening their eligibility. It said sporting systems must consider this reality while balancing fairness, national interest and uniform selection rules.
Phogat had sought provisional inclusion in the women’s selection trials scheduled for September 14 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. The court, however, refused interim relief and held that allowing her to compete despite not meeting the existing criteria would effectively create a special exception.
Vinesh Phogat selection trials plea rejected under WFI eligibility criteria
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the Wrestling Federation of India’s September 7 eligibility criteria applied to all athletes and were not specifically framed against Phogat.
The selection policy considered performances in events including the 2025 Senior Nationals, 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament, 2026 U-23 Nationals, Federation Cup, National Coaching Camp and the 2026 U-20 World Championships.
The court said permitting Phogat to participate provisionally could be unfair to other wrestlers who may have similar objections but are not before the court. It also warned that granting an individual exemption could lead to multiple athletes seeking similar relaxation from the prescribed rules.
At the same time, the court made clear that it was not giving a final ruling on the validity of the WFI policy or on the disciplinary proceedings involving Phogat. Those issues remain to be examined separately.
Women athletes maternity issues and postpartum athlete comeback
The most significant part of the hearing was the court’s recognition of the disadvantage that maternity can create for women in elite sport.
Pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery can keep an athlete away from training and competition for a considerable period. During that time, rankings, qualification points and tournament appearances can be affected, making a return to top-level competition more difficult.
The court said Phogat’s circumstances linked to pregnancy and childbirth deserved consideration when the legality and fairness of the policy are examined in detail. However, it held that those circumstances alone were not enough to override the current eligibility requirements at the interim stage.
The case therefore extends beyond one wrestler’s attempt to enter a selection trial. It raises a wider question about whether sports federations need clearer maternity protection policies for women athletes returning after childbirth.
For Indian sport, the issue could have long-term implications. A policy that treats every athlete identically may appear fair on paper, but it can overlook circumstances that affect women differently. At the same time, creating individual exemptions without a clear framework could undermine consistency in selection.
The challenge for sports authorities will be to develop rules that protect competitive fairness while ensuring maternity does not become an automatic disadvantage for women athletes attempting to resume their careers.
