Anush Agarwalla steps back from training, but vows comeback: Indian flag always worth fighting for

In his post, he also said he intended to take a break from training for the first time since he moved to Germany a decade ago but said his competitive career would go on uninterrupted.  | Photo Credit: IG/Anush Agarwalla

Indian rider Anush Agarwalla said he is giving up on his fight for representation at the Asian Games, revealing he has been left deeply hurt by the turn of events that left him devoid of a chance to make the continental tournament.

“The dream of Asian Games 2026 is officially over,” he wrote in a post on his Instagram account.

“Words cannot explain the pain and emptiness I feel right now. I have always represented India with immense pride, and always will. But this time, I am deeply hurt - not because I lost, but because I was never given the chance to compete.”

Agarwalla was part of India’s gold-winning dressage team at the Hangzhou Asian Games and won an individual bronze and was initially named among the reserves for the 2026 Games in Aichi and Nagoya.

He challenged his exclusion and questioned the Equestrian Federation of India’s selection criteria but the Delhi High Court quashed his appeal, refusing to interfere the process by saying it was done in accordance with the prescribed standards.

“I can accept defeat on the field. That is sport. You fight, you win, you lose, and you come back stronger. But this feels less like defeat and more like betrayal. Accepting an outcome doesn’t mean I have to believe the process was right. I fought until the very last moment, and I am proud of that. A fight for a medal is any day a better fight. A fight against the system may never yield a medal, but at least it leaves a record of who stood in the way between me, Floriana, my horse, and the medal we worked for.”

“I only hope no athlete has to go through this again. If India wants to become a true sporting nation, athletes deserve a system that is fair, transparent and respects the years of work behind every opportunity.”

In his post, he also said he intended to take a break from training for the first time since he moved to Germany a decade ago but said his competitive career would go on uninterrupted.

“For the first time since moving to Germany ten years ago, I will take a break from training. I need it. But I will return, and the Olympics will be the next goal. The Indian flag will always be worth fighting for.

“To my coach, my family and everyone who stood by me - thank you. You carried me through one of the hardest moments of my life. And Floriana, thank you. You did everything you could. I am sorry we couldn’t share that stage. You deserved to be there. I truly believe our bigger moments are still ahead. This hurts. But I am not done. On to the next goal.”