Eighteen-year-old Indian wushu player Divyanshi Choudhary was dropped from the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games squad on medical grounds just days before her scheduled departure, prompting an emotional outcry on social media and a swift defense from sports authorities.
Last-Minute Axing Shatters Asian Games Debut for Divyanshi Choudhary
Divyanshi Choudhary was packed and ready for her first Asian Games appearance. The 18-year-old athlete from Kota, Rajasthan, had her competition kits lined up on her bed, her tickets booked for a Monday departure, and a spot secured in the Indian Olympic Association’s grand send-off ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday. Divyanshi had been sharing her excitement on social media as the Games approached, posting pictures of her kit and sharing moments from the send-off ceremony.
That momentum dissolved on Thursday, September 11, 2026, when the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) issued a contingent update removing her name from the women’s 60kg wushu event. The Indian Wushu team for the Asian Games, set to begin in Japan on September 19, was originally announced on June 23. In her place, the federation named Naorem Roshibina Devi, a world medallist, two-time Asian medallist and Arjuna awardee.
Controversy Surrounding Selection Trials and Injury Reports
The roster change ignited immediate friction because Divyanshi had defeated Roshibina Devi during the selection trials earlier in the year. Speaking to reporters, Divyanshi’s father, Sunil Choudhary, questioned the timing and the selection rationale, pointing out that his daughter had earned her right to travel to Japan. Sunil Choudhary stated that the family was informed about the decision only on Friday morning, claiming they were not given any reason for her removal and alleging that Divyanshi was supposed to be told about the decision only after reaching the airport.
Wushu Association of India President Jitender Bajwa countered that the decision originated from SAI following a mandatory medical evaluation. According to the federation, Divyanshi joined the national camp organized by SAI a month back, was carrying an injury, and was trying to hide it by avoiding training. Wushu Association of India CEO Suhel Ahmed confirmed the medical findings.
“She was deemed medically unfit. She has some ligament issue or something. SAI had done a medical test on her during the camp,” Suhel told The New Indian Express.
“We had high hopes from our side. She is a really good player and it’s a bit of a shock for us. To be injured at the last minute, it’s obviously sad. But going by the rules, we can’t send injured players,” he added.
Photo: Sportstar
Wushu Association
Sunil Choudhary questioned the decision to replace Divyanshi with Roshibina, stating to Sportstar that if the association had to send someone, they should have sent the individual whom Divyanshi beat in the final. Jitender Bajwa maintained that winning a medal at the Asian Games is the primary objective; therefore, an unfit athlete cannot be sent. Divyanshi explained that a 10-day training camp for the Asian Games was held in Srinagar, during which she sustained a shoulder injury while sparring with Roshibina. Although she missed four or five days of training due to the injury, she recovered and resumed playing, subsequently participating in an international tournament. Divyanshi stated that she had consulted a doctor regarding the injury, and the doctor had advised her to play using protective taping, noting further that her MRI report was with the coach and the federation, and the doctor’s prescription had declared her fit to compete. Jitender Bajwa maintained that the report Divyanshi cited to claim fitness was from a private doctor, while the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had a separate medical report according to which Divyanshi was not fully fit.
Social Media Video Surfaces Following National Institute of Sports Removal
Hours after the Ministry’s announcement, a distressing video recorded by Divyanshi circulated online. Standing on the roof of her hostel at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, the teenager expressed deep anguish over her removal. In the video, which lasts nearly nine minutes, Divyanshi appeared in tears and was heard saying, Mom and Dad, please forgive me; I am talking about suicide. Toward the end, she panned the camera toward the ceiling of her home and stated that this is her final video, while also mentioning that she had even been issued the Indian team jersey for the Asian Games, only to have her name removed at the last minute.
ମୋତେ କ୍ଷମା କରିଦିଅ ବାପା … | Divyanshi Choudhary | Wushu Player | Asian Games | Viral Video |
“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, 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 Choudhary, Wushu Athlete said.
“I beat her, it’s my right to go there (Japan). She has been knocking at different doors…it’s abuse of power,” she added.
Broader Contingent Adjustments for Aichi-Nagoya 2026
The wushu roster modification unfolded alongside other late adjustments to India’s delegation for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confirmed that Yash Vir Singh took injured Neeraj Chopra’s place in men’s javelin throw, a decision already announced by the Athletics Federation of India, while Hemanth Pulparambil took Erin Varghese’s spot in the Indian men’s volleyball team. Additionally, long-distance runner Abhishek Pal and Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak were dropped from the contingent for anti-doping violations, and Sudesh Sangte replaced Devanshi Hareshbhai Patel as the coach of the soft tennis squad, bringing India’s final contingent to 766 members comprising 501 athletes (267 male and 234 female) and 265 support staff.
