Teenage Wushu athlete Divyanshi Choudhary has alleged that the Wushu Association of India had been putting pressure on her for the past three months because it wanted two-time Asian Games medallist Naorem Roshibina Devi to compete at the upcoming event. Divyanshi claimed she was overlooked for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games despite defeating Roshibina, saying the situation had pushed her to the point of attempting suicide.
The situation is especially striking given Divyanshi’s recent social media posts, in which she appeared excited about representing India at the Asian Games. She had shared photos of her competition kit arranged on her bed and moments from the Indian contingent’s send-off ceremony in New Delhi, held just four days earlier.
Teenage Wushu Athlete Alleges Harassment After Asian Games Selection Dispute
Teenage Indian Wushu athlete Divyanshi has spoken out after being dropped from the Asian Games squad at the last minute, alleging months of mental harassment and questioning why she was replaced in the women’s 60kg Sanda category. In an emotional video posted on September 11, the 18-year-old said the situation had left her deeply distressed after Roshibina Devi was brought into the squad despite losing to her in the selection trials.
“I am 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,” Divyanshi said in the video. She added, “I beat her, it is my right to go there (Japan). She has been knocking at different doors…it is abuse of power,” as she questioned the circumstances surrounding her exclusion.
Divyanshi also alleged that she was not given a proper opportunity to explain her medical situation before the decision was taken. “You are cutting my name and then you are not even telling me. Why? At least tell me. I also have the right to present my side. I am 18 now, and I have the right to speak. I needed to present my point of view at that time. Why wasn’t I allowed to? I also needed to show the doctor’s report,” she said.
The teenager further claimed that she had faced sustained pressure at the national camp and made a serious allegation about an injury during preparations. “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. 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. From June-July until now, it is September, and she has been constantly after me because she wants to go to the Asian Games,” Divyanshi said.
She also alleged that Roshibina had deliberately injured her during a training 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. Divyanshi added, “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.”
Divyanshi’s Coach Claims Athlete Topped All Five Trials, Questions Roshibina’s Selection
Divyanshi’s coach Ashok Gautam has backed her claims about the selection process, saying she had emerged as the leading athlete in the 60kg category after competing in five trials over the past year. “She has had 5 trials over the last year, and she has been No.1 in all of them,” Gautam told India Today. He added, “Her name was removed at the last minute and Roshibina Devi was included. She is in the 4th spot in the trials and lost the semi-finals to Divyanshi.”
Gautam also questioned why Roshibina, a two-time Asian Games medallist and Arjuna awardee, was brought into the squad after finishing fourth in the trials. “Since she is an Arjuna awardee, she has used her powers to throw Divyanshi out. And she has manipulated her way into this,” he alleged. He further raised concerns about Roshibina’s fitness and recent competitive record, claiming she had also dealt with injuries.
Wushu Federation Cites ACL Injury as Reason for Divyanshi’s Asian Games Exit
The Wushu Federation, however, has given a different explanation for Divyanshi’s removal. Association president Jitender Bajwa told Sportstar that the decision was made by the Sports Authority of India after a medical examination detected an ACL injury and alleged that Divyanshi had concealed the problem. Her father, Sunil, acknowledged the injury but said it was being managed through rehabilitation. “After she sustained the injury, we took Divyanshi to a doctor for a check-up. She had an ACL injury, but the doctor said that it could be treated through rehab,” Sunil said.
Gautam has disputed the federation’s assessment, arguing that the injury was not serious enough to rule Divyanshi out of the Asian Games. “The injury happened during the camp. It is a normal injury. Doctors have repeatedly given it in writing that she can play with taping. It is not such a serious injury. If there is some problem, she can get treatment, but it is not a major issue,” he said. With the Indian contingent due to leave for Nagoya shortly, Divyanshi’s camp is reportedly seeking intervention to challenge the decision, although a late change to the squad remains uncertain.
