Wushu Athlete Divyanshi Choudhary Accepts Asiad Exclusion After Ministerial Intervention

Indian wushu athlete Divyanshi Choudhary has publicly retracted her criticism of national sports authorities, stating that she now accepts her exclusion from the upcoming Asian Games squad. The decision follows high-level administrative intervention after the 18-year-old athlete was dropped from the women's 60kg sanda category ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Divyanshi had initially expressed deep distress over her omission, but a revised video message released on September 13, 2026, confirmed that she understands the medical rationale behind her removal. The athlete stated that her primary objective is now to focus on full recovery from a knee injury before returning to competitive martial arts.

The controversy surrounding Divyanshi's selection erupted after she was replaced in the seven-member national squad by two-time Asian Games medallist Naorem Roshibina Devi. The Wushu Association of India defended the roster change by citing a Sports Authority of India medical assessment which indicated that Divyanshi had suffered a partial to high-grade anterior cruciate ligament tear in her left knee.

While the athlete initially claimed she had received clearance from medical practitioners to compete despite the physical setback, subsequent official evaluations advised comprehensive rehabilitation. The governing body and sports ministry representatives emphasized that allowing an athlete to compete with a severe ligament tear carried unacceptable long-term health risks for her athletic career.

The shift in Divyanshi's position followed direct communications with senior figures within the Indian sports establishment. In her address, she acknowledged guidance from Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Wushu Association of India president Jitender Singh Bajwa, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alongside coaches and administrative staff.

Officials worked to reassure the teenager that her exclusion was precautionary rather than punitive, pledging institutional backing through her rehabilitation process. Divyanshi noted that these discussions helped clarify that the national federation intended to secure her long-term development rather than abandon her athletic future.

Despite softening her stance toward the national sports administration, Divyanshi maintained serious personal allegations against her replacement, Naorem Roshibina Devi. The teenage athlete asserted that she and her family had experienced sustained mental and physical harassment from Roshibina dating back to June.

These ongoing interpersonal friction points added significant complexity to a selection dispute that had already drawn intense public scrutiny. Neither the federation nor the replacement athlete immediately issued formal counter-statements regarding the specific harassment claims raised in the video release.

With the final squad list locked in for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the national sanda team will travel without Divyanshi in the women's 60kg division. The athlete has turned her attention toward long-term recovery and future international milestones, setting her sights on representing India at subsequent continental competitions.

Affirming her determination to return to peak competitive form, Divyanshi stated her intention to channel institutional support toward winning a gold medal at the 2030 Asian Games once her rehabilitation protocol is successfully completed.