For Vinesh Phogat, Saturday was supposed to be about wrestling again. Instead, it became another chapter in her long-running battle with the system.
The three-time Olympian's bid to return to international competition ended in disappointment after she suffered a 6-4 semi-final defeat to Meenakshi Goyat in the Asian Games selection trials at New Delhi's KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium.
Yet the result only tells part of the story.
By the time Vinesh stepped onto the mat, she had already spent months fighting legal battles, navigating administrative hurdles and overcoming the challenges of motherhood in a bid to revive a career that appeared to have stalled after her heartbreaking disqualification at the Paris Olympics.
And despite the setback, the 31-year-old
remains convinced her Olympic dream is still alive.
"I love wrestling deeply and still feel that drive within me. I believe I can still win medals at the Olympics, and that is the sole reason I came back after maternity," Vinesh told RevSportz after the trials.
"I do not want to live with regrets, and I will continue to give my best as long as I feel I have it in me. "
Vinesh Phogat comeback overshadowed by controversy
Vinesh's return to competition was never straightforward.
The former world championship medallist had not competed since the Paris Olympics and was forced to approach the courts simply to secure an opportunity to participate in the 53kg trials.
The Delhi High Court and later the Supreme Court intervened, directing the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to allow her participation.
However, the drama continued right up to the morning of the trials.
A day before the competition, confusion emerged over her weight category. According to reports, the WFI insisted she compete in the 50kg division, the same category in which she had participated at the Paris Olympics.
When Vinesh arrived for weigh-ins on Saturday morning, she allegedly faced further delays before eventually being cleared to compete in the 53kg category.
What should have been a celebration of one of India's greatest wrestlers returning to the mat instead turned into another confrontation between athlete and federation.
Phogat: "It is an everyday battle"
After her semi-final exit, Vinesh opened up about the challenges she has faced throughout her comeback.
"I cannot begin to tell you how difficult it is to deal with these hindrances every single day," she said.
"I am thankful to the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court for giving me this chance. Otherwise, it is an everyday battle. "
The wrestler also highlighted the additional responsibilities she now balances as a mother while attempting to compete at the highest level.
"It is even more difficult because I have my maternal responsibilities to take care of alongside all of this. "
Vinesh added that securing a fair opportunity for athletes in similar situations could have a lasting impact on women's sport in India.
"Getting a fair chance would set a good example for women athletes in the future, as they too would have the courage to fight in court if needed. "
Strength from family
Throughout her comeback journey, Vinesh says her biggest source of strength has been her young child.
"I try to avoid the outside noise as much as possible, and my little one helps me do that. "
"Looking at him and his smile gives me the strength to overcome all the negativity and distractions. "
"My team and the love I receive from my country are also undeniable factors that keep me going. "
## A larger message for Indian sport
While reflecting on her own struggles, Vinesh also pointed to what she believes is a broader issue within Indian sport.
"Wrestling is a male-dominated sport that relies heavily on power and stamina, so even after going through my maternity phase, I wanted to return to the sport, only to face immense resistance from the system itself. "
The Commonwealth Games and Asian Games medallist believes India's athletes are capable of achieving far more if they receive consistent institutional support.
"I believe that once the system stands with its athletes, India will not have to wait long to win Olympic gold medals. "
The fight isn't over
As Meenakshi celebrated her victory and progression through the trials, Vinesh was left contemplating another setback in a career that has featured more than its share of adversity.
Yet retirement remains the furthest thing from her mind.
"The day I feel I no longer do, I will thank everyone and leave the sport happily," she said.
"But under no circumstances will I say goodbye to my favourite sport because of external pressure or force. "
Saturday's defeat may have ended her immediate Asian Games hopes.
But if Vinesh Phogat's career has shown anything, it is that setbacks rarely signal the end of the story.
For now, the wrestler who has spent much of the past two years battling both on and off the mat is refusing to let go of one belief: She can still win an Olympic medal.
