The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has officially barred star wrestler Vinesh Phogat from competing in the upcoming National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. This decision would be a massive hit on her highly anticipated return to the sport after her decision to withdraw her retirement after the Paris Olympics. It would be a difficult situation for her to deal with as she would have expected the support of the federation, while returning to wrestling.
The WFI has issued a comprehensive show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, declaring her ineligible for domestic competition until June 26, 2026. The federation had their own reasons for their strict decisions. One of the main reasons was her inability to meet the mandatory six-month notice period required by United World Wrestling (UWW) anti-doping regulations. It is a routine procedure for athletes after retirement. This also means that she cannot participate in any domestically sanctioned events for a period of two years.
WFI’s strict disciplinary stance leave Vinesh Phogat fighting to revive her wrestling career
There was a 15-page notice sent to Phogat that stated the allegations that the WFI had against the athlete. They claim that she has caused damage to national reputation and damaged the reputation of Indian wrestling. The charges are seemingly comprehensive including areas on and off the sport. The WFI asserts that Phogat violated UWW regulations by not providing the necessary cooling-off period after announcing her retirement.
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The federation also stated a demand for a formal explanation following her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics. India was on the verge of a historic moment at the olympics but she missed the required weight cut for her gold-medal bout. The notice also highlighted the lack of knowledge regarding her whereabouts. It was also related to anti-doping tracking and criticized her participation in two different weight divisions. This occurred during the March 2024 selection trials, an event conducted by the then IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee.
While Phogat had hoped the Gonda tournament would be the revival of her long lost career, the WFI’s stance has suggested otherwise. The decision emphasizes the importance of rigorous adherence to procedural and disciplinary codes. Vinesh Phogat will have to convince the federation of her innocence and that could be her last hope to get back into the sport she yearns a comeback for.
