Divyanshi Chaudhary controversy: Wushu federarion reveals reasons behind her Asian Games 2026 exclusion
Divyanshi Chaudhary earlier broke down on camera against unfair practice in her non-selection
After 18-year-old wushu player Divyanshi Chaudhary broke down on camera alleging unfair treatment, the Wushu Association of India (WAI) has issued a detailed two-part response explaining why she was dropped from the Asian Games 2026 squad and replaced by Roshibina Devi Naorem.
Chaudhary had posted an emotional video from her hostel at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, just after learning she would not be flying to Japan for the Games.
In that video, she said, “I’m tired of this… I have been mentally harassed so much. Since June and July, they have been after me because she [Roshibina] wanted to go. Given that I beat her, why is it a problem for her now?”
She also said, “I beat her; it’s my right to go there [Japan]. She has been knocking at different doors… It’s abuse of power.”
Her father Sunil said (via Sportstar), “Divyanshi beat Roshibina in the semifinals of the trials. If the association had to send someone, they should have sent the individual who Divyanshi beat in the final.”
Related: Asian Games 2026 – Full list of India’s contingent
What does the WAI’s press statement say?
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In its official press statement dated September 12, the WAI laid out a full timeline. According to the circular, “The WAI conducted selection trials for the Asian Games 2026 from 5th to 8th June 2026 at Srinagar, where Divyanshi won the trials among eight participants.”
It further states, “As per the Selection Committee criteria of WAI, Divyanshi was included in the list of selected athletes for the Asian Games 2026 in the Women’s 60 kg sanda category,” and that “Her name was subsequently included in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) sanction for participation in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.”
The circular adds, “Based on the above, she was part of the ongoing Asian Games preparatory camp that was held at NIS Patiala campus where she reported on 10th August 2026.”
On the injury itself, the WAI’s statement reads, “On 14th August 2026, during training, she complained of pain, stating it was due to a hamstring issue, and did not train on 14th and 15th August. During training on 17th August, she again complained of hamstring pain and thereafter did light training for the next 2-3 days.”
It continues, “Due to recurrent injury, Coach asked the player, and she informed that she had sustained an injury during the SCO Event in China and she had informed her parents upon return. She spent a month at home and then joined training camp at Patiala.”
A second circular from the WAI, also dated September 12, details what followed. It states, “On 21st August, she stopped training altogether, citing increasing pain and was examined by the woman’s physio, who found swelling in the knee. It was also conveyed to them that an MRI was required to assess her injury and after obtaining their consent for the same from her parents, an MRI was done on 23rd August privately, under the supervision of two physios at Manipal Hospital.”
Related: Asian Games 2026 – Event dates, venue and other details
It adds, “The MRI report was shown to the HPD of Sports Medicine of SAI on 24th August, and she referred the athlete to an Orthopaedic doctor at Manipal Hospital for further consultation. Divyanshi’s father had also arrived in Patiala on 24 August.”
The circular further notes, “On further clinical examination and review of the MRI by the Orthopaedic Doctor and a medical officer, she was found to have a partial high-grade ACL tear with large effusion,” and that “The risks of participating in competition and training in her current condition were explained to her and she was advised activity modification, rehabilitation exercises and regular follow-up, and to refrain from competitive/full training until recovery. Further, surgery was also advised by the doctors.”
On the final decision, the circular reads, “Ms Divyanshi subsequently underwent rehabilitation until 29th August 2026.”
Further adding, “Keeping the athlete’s health, safety and long-term sporting career paramount, the WAI, based on the medical advice and available medical reports, informed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), and Sports Authority of India (SAI) through email that the athlete had sustained an injury and had been medically advised to refrain from competitive activity and full training sessions till her recovery.
It continues, “WAI further requested that her name be replaced by N Roshibina Devi, who was the standby athlete as per the Selection Committee Minutes of WAI.“
WAI president Jitender Bajwa has earlier reportedly clarified that the actual trial runner-up, Himanshi of Chandigarh, could not be considered either, since she had suffered a jaw fracture around the same period.
Why was Divyanshi Chaudhary removed from the Asian Games 2026 wushu squad?
Divyanshi Chaudhary’s MRI showed a partial high-grade ACL tear. Doctors advised rest, rehab and surgery, so WAI replaced her.
Why Roshibina Devi Naorem, not the trial runner-up?
Roshibina was the standby athlete per WAI’s Selection Committee Minutes. The actual runner-up, Himanshi, was out with a jaw fracture.
When do the Asian Games 2026 get underway?
The 2026 Asian Games officially get underway with the opening ceremony on September 19, 2026.
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