Asian Games 2026: Dropped last minute, Wushu athlete Divyanshi Chaudhary threatens suicide
Chaudhary has accused Indian sporting authorities of unfair treatment
Eighteen-year-old wushu athlete Divyanshi Chaudhary has accused Indian sporting authorities of unfair treatment after her name was pulled from the Asian Games 2026 squad just days before the team departed for Japan.
Chaudhary, who competes in the women’s 60kg Sanda category, was part of the original squad announced on June 23.
On September 11, the Sports Ministry issued an update replacing her with Naorem Roshibina Devi, a silver medallist from the 2022 Asiad edition.
In a video posted on social media, Chaudhary said, “I’m really helpless. I’m tired of this; I don’t see the point of living… 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?”
Dejected by the last-minute omission, Divyanshi also added, “I beat her (in the trials); it’s my right to go. She has been knocking at different doors…it’s abuse of power. Divyanshi, 18, was originally part of the 16-woman draw in the women’s 60kg.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026: Full list of India’s contingent
Why was Divyanshi removed from Asian Games 2026 squad?
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
According to reports, Divyanshi was removed due to an injury, which surfaced during a medical examination at the SAI training centre.
Jitender Bajwa, the President of the Wushu Association of India, told Sportstar that Divyanshi was found to be hiding a knee injury and was removed only due to the severity of the injury.
“Divyanshi joined the national camp which was organised by SAI a month back. She was carrying a knee injury and was trying to hide it by avoiding training. When SAI eventually found out about this, they replaced her name,” Bajwa was quoted as saying.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026: Event dates, venue and other details
He also clarified Roshibina’s selection ahead of other prospects. Roshibina had been knocked out in the semi-finals of the trials, but was picked instead of the losing finalist.
According to the Wushu Federation chief, “The losing finalist, Himanshi of Chandigarh, suffered a fracture to her jaw, which is why her name was not included. Instead, the coaches had already recommended the name of Roshibina Devi as the replacement player for Divyanshi.”
Divyanshi accuses Roshibina of injuring her
However, Divyanshi, in her video, alleged that Roshibina deliberately injured her during a training session. According to her, the incident took place during the team’s preparatory camp in Srinagar.
“She is going to the Sports Minister, sir; she is going everywhere, using her power wrongly. I request the federation with folded hands. I defeated her in the final selection trials. After that, they harassed me physically,” she said.
“You know, when there were 10 days left in our camp in Srinagar, she deliberately injured my shoulder. Because of that, I did not practise for four or five days.”
Also Read: Which sports will offer Olympic quotas at 2026 Asian Games?
She also alleged mental harassment at the camp and questioned the timing of her removal from the finalised squad.
“I am extremely forced to do all of this. I am extremely fed up, both with staying here and with everything that has happened, and I don’t think there is any point in living anymore,” she said in the video, shot on the root on the training centre in Patiala.
“You tell me, is it right to mentally harass someone this much? I have been mentally harassed to such an extent. I have been subjected to this since July,” Divyanshi added.
Reports differ on the nature of Chaudhary’s injury, with some describing it as a knee injury involving her ACL.
Some instead describe a shoulder injury sustained during a sparring session with Roshibina at a training camp in Srinagar, one that Chaudhary says she recovered from before going on to compete internationally.
Chaudhary has represented India internationally before, winning bronze at the 2024 Junior World Wushu Championships and silver at a tournament in China in June 2026. She has trained at Kota’s Mahabali Sports Academy since 2017.
Why was Divyanshi Chaudhary removed from India’s wushu squad for Asian Games 2026?
The Wushu Association of India says Divyanshi was carrying an injury and was replaced on medical grounds after a test arranged by the Sports Authority of India
Who replaced Divyanshi Chaudhary in the Wushu squad for Asian Games 2026?
She was replaced by Naorem Roshibina Devi, a silver medallist from the 2022 Asian Games, in the women’s 60kg Sanda category
What is Divyanshi Chaudhary’s competitive record?
She won a bronze medal at the 2024 Junior World Wushu Championships and a silver medal at a tournament in China in June 2026. She has trained at Kota’s Mahabali Sports Academy since 2017.
How did Divyanshi Chaudhary react to her removal from the wushu squad for Asian Games 2026?
In an Instagram post, Divyanshi threatened to take her life, alleging mental harassment and favouritism. She also claimed that she was deliberately injured by Roshibina Devi and was only informed about her omission from the squad two days before India’s departure.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram