Vinesh Phogat Faces Challenges Ahead of Wrestling Comeback
Vinesh Phogat's Return to Wrestling
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has adhered to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) requirement of a six-month notice for athletes returning from retirement. This situation arises as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) continues to prevent her from participating in national competitions. Vinesh, who announced her retirement in 2024 after being disqualified from the 50kg gold medal match at the Paris Olympics due to a weigh-in failure, has expressed her intention to return in December 2025. She plans to compete in the senior ranking series in Gonda from May 10-12 in the 57kg category.
However, her comeback is overshadowed by various controversies, including issues with WFI registration, a failure in out-of-competition testing, and concerns regarding safety in Gonda, the hometown of former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Additionally, there are worries about potential biased refereeing at the upcoming senior ranking series. The WFI has reached out to United World Wrestling (UWW) for clarification on Vinesh's eligibility to return. WFI president Sanjay Singh stated, “If she is eligible, only then can she compete; otherwise, she cannot. If Vinesh had requested an exemption, we would have been informed by the authorities.”
According to a report, Vinesh, a former Asian Games gold medalist, had already met the necessary requirements months prior. The controversy revolves around Article 5.6.1 of WADA’s anti-doping code, which requires athletes in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to provide six months’ written notice to both their international federation and the national anti-doping agency before resuming competition after retirement. Vinesh's camp asserts that she did not violate this rule, claiming she informed both WADA and UWW of her return intentions in June 2025 and submitted the required Form 1.
A source mentioned, “If that wasn’t the case, how did the anti-doping team from ITA, under UWW’s instructions, come for Vinesh’s sample collection in Bengaluru in December 2025?” The testing occurred six months after she complied with WADA’s notice requirement in June 2025. Vinesh’s team argues that the fact she underwent testing by the International Testing Agency (ITA) under UWW’s direction indicates her compliance with anti-doping regulations.
Even if her eligibility is confirmed, Vinesh faces another hurdle in qualifying for the 2026 Asian Games. The current WFI selection policy states that only medalists from the 2025 Senior Nationals, 2026 Federation Cup, and 2026 Under-20 Nationals can participate in the Asian Games selection trials later this month. This criterion effectively excludes Vinesh from contention for the continental event, regardless of her performance in Gonda.
For one of India’s most accomplished wrestlers, the anticipated comeback is instead mired in regulations, technicalities, and increasing uncertainty.