There is doubt on Vinesh Phogat’s playImage Credit source: PTI
The dispute between India’s veteran wrestling wrestler Vinesh Phogat and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has increased. WFI had suddenly banned Vinesh, who was going to return to the wrestling mat from the National Open Ranking Tournament being held in Gonda, due to which she was declared ineligible for this tournament. But despite this ban, Vinesh Phogat has reached Gonda and as soon as she reached there, she issued a statement calling WFI’s ban illegal. Vinesh has clearly said that she has got the green signal from the global body of wrestling.
Disqualified from final due to excess weight in Paris Olympics Vinesh Then he took a break from wrestling. Since then she remained away from action for about one and a half years. But a few months ago, he had announced his comeback and had made preparations to return from the open ranking tournament in Gonda. But during this time he had raised questions on the venue of the tournament, which is the city of former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. During this time, Vinesh had revealed that she was one of the female wrestlers victimized by Brij Bhushan.
Reached Gonda despite ban
Only after this suddenly the news of Vinesh missing the dope test last year came. After this, citing this, WFI had banned him from participating in all types of tournaments till June 2026. This meant that she could participate in ranking tournaments. Despite this, Vinesh reached Gonda on Monday 11th May and along with this she issued a statement calling the ban of WFI illegal. Along with this, he also responded to other allegations of WFI.
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) May 11, 2026
Permission received from international agency
In her statement, Vinesh said that WFI has misunderstood the timeline of her break and subsequent return to training and competitions. It has been said in the notice of WFI that Vinesh will be eligible to play only after June 26, 2026. But Vinesh, citing the clearance received from the International Testing Agency (ITA), revealed that she has been considered eligible to return to official training and competition on January 1, 2026. Vinesh made it clear that ITA has been appointed by the international wrestling organization UWW and hence its decision is paramount.
I have been given written permission by the ITA to compete from 1 Jan, 2026, I was allowed to register for the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament at Nandini Nagar, Gonda on the 28th of April, 2026. I came to Gonda today to participate but I have neither been allowed to complete pic.twitter.com/xq6gmQ8nmF
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) May 11, 2026
Vinesh also reiterated her intention to participate in other tournaments including the Asian Games 2026 and said that she will soon, along with her lawyers, respond in detail to the decisions and allegations of the WFI.
