Vinesh PhogatWrestling Federation of IndiaWFINational Open Ranking Tournamentanti-doping rules
Vinesh Phogat Arrives in Gonda, Submits Reply to WFI Show-Cause Notice
Published: May 11, 2026
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Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat arrived in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, on May 11, 2026, and submitted her reply to the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) show-cause notice, asserting her eligibility to return from retirement and compete in the National Open Ranking tournament. The WFI rejected her participation, stating disciplinary proceedings against her remain pending and must conclude before she can be cleared to compete.
The WFI had declared Phogat ineligible for domestic events until June 26, 2026, citing a six-month notice requirement under anti-doping rules for retired athletes returning to competition. Phogat countered that Rule 5.6.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code does not apply to her, as she had formally informed United World Wrestling (UWW) of her comeback in June 2025, fulfilling procedural obligations.
However, WFI sources said her response addressed only eligibility and not broader charges of indiscipline, breach of federation rules, and procedural violations cited in the notice. "The reply is not enough. She has not answered the full show-cause notice," a WFI source told PTI. The federation dismissed claims it altered selection criteria to block her entry as a "wrong narrative."
Phogat announced her retirement after being disqualified from the 50kg gold medal bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics, though her husband said the retirement was not official and only posted on social media. The WFI cited a December 2024 UWW communication acknowledging her retirement notification to the International Testing Agency (ITA).
The weigh-in for women's wrestlers is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 11, with competition set for May 12. The WFI will conduct a disciplinary hearing before any decision on her eligibility, a federation source confirmed.