Wrestler Vinesh Phogat. File
| Picture Credit score: PTI
Vinesh Phogat arrived at Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday (Might 11, 2026) and replied to the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) show-cause discover, claiming that she was eligible to return from retirement though the nationwide federation maintained that she can’t be allowed to compete within the ongoing Nationwide Open Rating match.
The WFI mentioned she can’t compete till disciplinary proceedings towards her are full.
The nationwide federation had earlier declared Vinesh ineligible to participate in domestic events till June 26, 2026, citing the necessary six-month discover interval linked to athletes getting back from retirement below anti-doping guidelines.
Instantly after touchdown in Ayodhya, Vinesh replied to the WFI’s show-cause discover, claiming that Rule 5.6.1 of the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) Code regarding retired athletes doesn’t apply to her as she had already knowledgeable United World Wrestling (UWW) in June about her determination to renew competitors after retirement.
In her response, Vinesh argued that she had formally intimated UWW about her comeback effectively prematurely and, due to this fact, fulfilled the procedural necessities wanted to return to competitors.
Nevertheless, WFI sources mentioned the federation was not glad along with her reply and felt that the wrestler had addressed solely the eligibility facet whereas failing to reply comprehensively to the broader disciplinary fees levelled towards her within the detailed discover issued earlier.
“The reply shouldn’t be sufficient. She has not answered the total show-cause discover. Till a disciplinary listening to is carried out and the matter is set, she can’t be permitted to compete,” a WFI supply advised PTI.
The controversy erupted after WFI issued a strongly worded show-cause discover to the celebrated wrestler, accusing her of indiscipline, breach of federation guidelines and anti-doping associated procedural violations.
Earlier than that, Vinesh had claimed that WFI was attempting to dam her entry.
The WFI additionally maintained {that a} “flawed narrative” was being unfold that the choice standards for the Nationwide Open Rating Match had been altered particularly to stop Vinesh from competing.
Vinesh had introduced her retirement from the game after her disqualification from the ladies’s 50kg gold medal bout on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Whereas her husband mentioned that Vinesh by no means introduced her retirement formally, and merely posted it on social media, WFI has maintained {that a} communication from UWW in December 2024 acknowledged that she had intimated the Worldwide Testing Company (ITA) about her retirement.
Vinesh, however, has argued that she had subsequently knowledgeable the world physique about her intention to return and was due to this fact eligible to enter the match in Gonda.
The weigh-in for the ladies’s wrestlers is scheduled between 5 p.m. and seven p.m. on Monday (Might 11, 2026) and the competitors is scheduled for Tuesday (Might 12, 2026).
The medal winners on the occasion are prone to get an opportunity to compete on the World Championship trials later this yr however they will not be allowed to compete in Asian Video games trials as per the WFI coverage.
Printed – Might 11, 2026 02:39 pm IST
