Vinesh Phogat Set to Compete in New Weight Class at National Open Ranking Tournament

Vinesh Phogat to Make Comeback in New Weight Category

Three-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat is preparing to return to competitive wrestling, transitioning to the 57kg weight class. She will participate in the National Open Ranking Tournament 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, from May 10 to 12.

Path to LA 2028 After Retirement Reversal

This national tournament will be Phogat's first competitive event since the Paris 2024 Olympics. It is a significant step towards her goal of qualifying for the Asian Games in Japan, which are set for September 19 to October 4, according to Olympics.com. The 31-year-old wrestler had previously announced her retirement after missing weight for the gold medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, she reversed her decision in December, aiming for the LA 2028 Olympics.

Vinesh, part of the famous Phogat sisters, reached the final in the women's 50kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, achieving this through a series of remarkable victories. She defeated notable opponents, including Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki from Japan, 2019 European Championships gold medalist Oksana Livach from Ukraine, and Pan American Games champion Yusneylis Guzman from Cuba.

A Career of Shifting Weight Classes

Throughout her career, Vinesh has frequently changed weight classes due to injuries and domestic competition.

She began in the 48kg category, where she won a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games and a silver at the 2015 Asian Championships. Leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympics, she fluctuated between weight classes before competing in the 48kg division.

In subsequent years, Vinesh wrestled in the 55kg and 53kg categories, achieving notable success, particularly in the 53kg class. She secured gold medals at both the 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games in this category, along with two World Championship medals. This weight class was also where she competed during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The upcoming event in Gonda will mark her fifth shift in weight categories and her debut in the 57kg class.