Wrestling Federation bars Vinesh Phogat from competing in comeback tournament

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has barred Vinesh Phogat from competing in the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda from May 10-12. The competition was supposed to serve as the official comeback of the wrestler after she completed a retirement U-turn after hanging up her boots after the Paris Olympics 2024.

The WFI issued a show-cause notice to Vinesh, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations and declaring her ineligible to compete in domestic events until June 26, 2026. This was for not fulfilling the mandatory six-month notice requirement for athletes making a comeback from retirement under UWW Anti-Doping regulations.

In the 15-page notice sent by the WFI to Vinesh, the governing body alleged that the star wrestler had caused national embarrassment, damaged the image of Indian wrestling and violated provisions of the WFI Constitution, UWW International Wrestling Rules and anti-doping regulations. The federation also asked Vinesh to give her explanation on four broad charges, including her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics after missing the weight cut, reported whereabouts lapses linked to anti-doping regulations, and participation in two separate weight divisions during the March 2024 selection trials overseen by the then IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee.

The WFI also mentioned in the notice that she wouldn't be able to compete at the event in Gonda, which was hyped as her return to the mat.

"The Federation must satisfy itself that you have not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation that would render you ineligible to represent the Federation in any forthcoming competition," the notice stated.

Vinesh has 14 days to respond to the notice from the WFI.

TUG OF WAR BETWEEN VINESH AND WFI

The decision from WFI is the latest episode in a tug of war between Vinesh and the WFI. The wrestler stated that the federation was deliberately trying to block her attempts at making a comeback to the mat after being unable to register for the national ranking championships. The resgisteration ultimately went through on the final day.

The WFI rejected the claims, but the tussle between them and Vinesh raged on. Her path to the Asian Games was blocked after she was left out of the selection trials as WFI rolled out the eligibility criteria.

Under the revised criteria, only wrestlers who secured medals in events held during 2025 and 2026 will qualify for the selection trials. The rule leaves Phogat ineligible, given that she has not returned to professional competition since her painful exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics following the weight-cut controversy.