Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is facing fresh controversy after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) sent her a 15-page show-cause notice over alleged indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.
The federation also said Vinesh cannot compete in domestic wrestling events till June 26, 2026. This means she will miss the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda from May 10 to 12, which was expected to be her comeback event.
WFI cites anti-doping rules
According to the WFI notice, Vinesh Phogat allegedly did not follow the mandatory six-month notice period needed for wrestlers returning from retirement under United World Wrestling (UWW) anti-doping rules. The federation said she cannot take part in upcoming events until her eligibility is completely checked.
“The Federation must satisfy itself that you have not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation that would render you ineligible to represent the Federation in any forthcoming competition,” the notice stated.
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Four major allegations against Vinesh
As per News18 reports, the WFI has reportedly asked Vinesh Phogat to explain four separate issues. These include her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics after failing to meet the weight limit, alleged failures to share her location details under anti-doping rules, and claims that she competed in two different weight categories during the March 2024 selection trials held by the IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel.
The federation also claimed that her actions violated the WFI Constitution, UWW International Wrestling Rules and anti-doping regulations.
National tournament comeback blocked
Vinesh Phogat was expected to make her return to domestic wrestling through the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. However, the federation said she cannot compete until June 26 this year.
The notice also stated that Vinesh has been given 14 days to reply to the allegations made by the federation.
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Vinesh camp rejects retirement claims
As per News18 reports, earlier, a report claimed that Vinesh Phogat does not need to follow the mandatory six-month notice period because she never officially announced her retirement from wrestling.
“Vinesh never had to inform UWW because she never officially took retirement from the sport,” Deccan Herald quoted a source close to Vinesh as saying. “That’s why she is still on the RTP list and unfortunately led to the missed test on December 18 when she was travelling from Bengaluru to Chandigarh to attend the first winter session of Haryana Legislative Assembly as the representative of her Julana constituency.”
The WFI has given Vinesh Phogat 14 days to respond to the show-cause notice. She remains ineligible to compete in domestic wrestling events till June 26, 2026, according to the federation.
