Vinesh Phogat Responds to WFI's Show-Cause Notice Amid Controversy
Vinesh Phogat's Arrival and Response
On Monday, Vinesh Phogat arrived in Ayodhya and addressed the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) show-cause notice. She asserted her eligibility to return from retirement, despite the federation's stance that she cannot participate in the ongoing National Open Ranking tournament until the disciplinary proceedings against her are resolved. The WFI had declared her ineligible for domestic competitions until June 26, 2026, citing a mandatory six-month notice period for athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping regulations.
Upon her arrival, Vinesh responded to the WFI's notice, arguing that Rule 5.6.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code regarding retired athletes does not apply to her case. She had previously informed United World Wrestling (UWW) in June about her intention to resume competition after retirement. According to UWW's regulations, athletes wishing to return from retirement must notify the organization at least six months in advance while being available for testing during that timeframe.
Vinesh contended that her formal notification to UWW regarding her comeback satisfied the necessary procedural requirements for her return to competition. However, WFI sources indicated that the federation was not satisfied with her response, feeling that she only addressed the eligibility issue without adequately responding to the broader disciplinary allegations outlined in the detailed notice issued on Saturday. A WFI source stated, "The reply is not enough. She has not answered the full show-cause notice. Until a disciplinary hearing is conducted and the matter is resolved, she cannot be permitted to compete."
Furthermore, the source added, "We will not prevent her from coming here, but until we receive a comprehensive explanation, she must wait." The controversy began when the WFI issued a strongly worded show-cause notice to the renowned wrestler, accusing her of indiscipline, violations of federation rules, and procedural breaches related to anti-doping regulations. Prior to this, Vinesh had claimed that the WFI was attempting to obstruct her participation.
The WFI also asserted that a "wrong narrative" was being propagated, suggesting that the selection criteria for the National Open Ranking Tournament had been modified specifically to hinder Vinesh's participation. Vinesh had previously announced her retirement from the sport following her disqualification from the women's 50kg gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her husband, Sombir Rathi, stated that Vinesh never officially declared her retirement, merely posting it on social media. However, the WFI maintained that a communication from UWW in December 2024 confirmed that she had informed the International Testing Agency (ITA) about her retirement.
The federation has requested her explanation on multiple charges, including her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Games due to weight issues, alleged failures to report whereabouts under anti-doping rules, and competing in two weight categories during the March 2024 selection trials conducted by the then IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel. The weigh-in for the women's wrestlers at the Ranking event is set for Monday between 5 PM and 7 PM, with the competition scheduled for Tuesday. Medal winners at this event may have the opportunity to compete in the World Championship trials later this year, but they will not be eligible for the Asian Games trials as per WFI policy.