Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Faces Suspension Amid Doping Allegations

Vinesh Phogat, a prominent Indian wrestler, is facing serious allegations from the Wrestling Federation of India regarding misconduct and violations of anti-doping rules. A disciplinary notice has been issued, leading to her suspension from domestic tournaments until June 2026. The federation has outlined several charges against her, including disqualification from the upcoming Paris Olympics and failure to comply with anti-doping regulations. This situation has raised concerns about her future in wrestling, especially with significant competitions on the horizon. Read on to discover the full details of this unfolding story.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 16:04 IST

Disciplinary Notice Issued by Wrestling Federation

The Wrestling Federation of India has issued a disciplinary notice to Vinesh Phogat on charges of misconduct and violations of anti-doping regulations. Additionally, due to her failure to provide a mandatory six-month notice for returning from retirement under UWW's anti-doping rules, she has been barred from participating in domestic tournaments until June 26, 2026.

Allegations of Misconduct and Damage to Reputation

In a detailed fifteen-page notice, the federation accused Vinesh of bringing embarrassment to the nation and tarnishing the image of Indian wrestling. The notice claims that she violated provisions of the federation's constitution, international wrestling rules set by UWW, and anti-doping regulations.

Clarification Requested on Four Key Charges

The federation has requested Vinesh to clarify four major allegations, including her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics, her alleged failure to report her whereabouts under anti-doping rules, and her participation in trials for two weight categories conducted by the ad-hoc committee appointed by the IOA in March 2024.

Prohibition from Upcoming Domestic Tournaments

The federation has explicitly stated that she cannot participate in any domestic tournaments until June 26, including the National Open Ranking Tournament scheduled in Gonda from May 10 to 12. The notice emphasized that the federation must be satisfied that she has not committed any doping violations that would render her ineligible to represent the federation in future competitions.

Setback for Vinesh Ahead of Gonda Ranking Tournament

The ITA, which oversees anti-doping programs for the Olympics and other major sporting events, is based in Lausanne and manages anti-doping programs for nearly 50 international sports federations.