Vinesh Phogat vs WFI highlights: 'They want me to quit' - Vinesh targets WFI after being denied competition entry

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: Vinesh responds to WFI notice

The WFI had declared Vinesh ineligible to participate in domestic events till June 26, 2026, citing the mandatory six-month notice period linked to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.

Asked whether she would move court after the latest developments, Vinesh said: “Let's see. We will try to do what is in our power.”

Vinesh said it was the responsibility of the WFI leadership to remove the insecurities faced by wrestlers.

“I have been through this for so many years. That's why I have these insecurities. It is your responsibility as the head of WFI to remove these insecurities,” she said.

Immediately after landing at the nearby Ayodhya airport, Vinesh replied to the WFI’s show-cause notice, claiming that Rule 5.6.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code concerning retired athletes does not apply to her as she had already informed United World Wrestling in June about her decision to resume competition after retirement.

However, WFI sources said the federation was not satisfied with her reply and felt that the wrestler had addressed only the eligibility aspect while failing to comprehensively respond to the broader disciplinary charges levelled against her in the detailed notice issued on Saturday.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: ‘I am getting the punishment for that’

The WFI had issued a strongly worded show-cause notice to Vinesh, accusing her of indiscipline, breach of federation rules and anti-doping-related procedural violations.

She said she has been punished for speaking out against the WFI officials.

"This (speaking up against the current WFI dispensation) is why all this is happening to us. There is no other reason than this. Why did we raise our voice? Why did we speak against this?

"The system that was running them, whatever they were doing behind the curtains, they should not have brought it in front of the world. I am getting the punishment for that,” she said.

"And I am suffering. But, God has given me the power to suffer. I will suffer. The people of the country are watching. I am working hard and I have the strength. I am walking on my path with honesty and truth. He (God) will definitely give me the result,” she added.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: Official WFI Statement

Vinesh Phogat was provided full security from the moment she arrived. As witnessed by everyone present, she met the officials and was informed about her ineligibility to participate, as per the rules and procedures in place. She freely interacted with the media and was not stopped or interrupted anywhere, following this, she left the venue peacefully.

The Wrestling Federation of India treats every player equally, and player welfare and security remain our highest priorities. From her arrival in Gonda to her departure from the venue, complete security and support were extended to her at every step.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: ‘I don’t feel safe’

The 31-year-old two-time World Championships medallist said she was being punished for raising her voice against WFI officials. She also questioned the language used against her and said she did not feel safe despite representing the country at the highest level.

"I have represented the country. I have been to the Olympics, I have played Commonwealth Games, I have played in the world. You are calling me Tukde Tukde gang. Have you seen your language? Do you think I am safe there? Is there a safe environment for me?” she asked.

"Maybe he (WFI President Sanjay Singh) is calling me a terrorist. I can also be a Khalistani in his language. But I am a respected citizen of this country. I have a right to fight. I can go to any part of the country.

"I don't feel safe. I have a right to speak. This Constitution has given me a right. Sanjay Singh has not given me a right. Nor has any federation given me a right. And I know my right as a citizen,” she added.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: 'She cannot participate in wrestling'

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: 'I was allowed to register for the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament' - Vinesh​​​​

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: Defiant Vinesh refuses to back down

A defiant Vinesh Phogat on Monday alleged that those in power in the Wrestling Federation of India wanted her to quit the sport, but asserted that she would not accept defeat and allow them to succeed in their plans.

Vinesh was declared ineligible to compete in the National Open Ranking tournament by the WFI until disciplinary proceedings against her are completed. However, she arrived at the venue on Monday, insisting that she is eligible to participate in the event.

"What do you expect me to do? Shall I take sanyaas and stay away? Accept defeat? So that their conspiracy against me succeeds? He wants that I leave wrestling, I get tired, I join hands and leave. Sanjay Singh, Brij Bhushan, his team, all those who have control, who have power," Vinesh told reporters after meeting WFI officials.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: 'I will establish my innocence'

Vinesh Phogat has responded strongly to the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) show-cause notice, insisting that she is fully eligible to return to competitive wrestling and rejecting several of the federation’s claims regarding timelines and rule violations.

In her detailed statement, Vinesh confirmed receipt of the notice dated 09.05.2026 and said she will respond formally after consulting her legal team. However, she also addressed the matter publicly, saying there has been a misunderstanding regarding her comeback timeline.

She stated that, “The WFI has misinterpreted the timelines of my sabbatical from sport and subsequent return to training and competitions.” She further clarified that, contrary to the federation’s claim that she would only be eligible from June 26, 2026, “I have been deemed eligible to return to official training and competition on January 1, 2026.”

Vinesh added that she has “official confirmation from the International Testing Agency (ITA)” and is therefore eligible to compete in the ongoing 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. She confirmed, “I do intend to participate in the Tournament and mark my return to the mat in a competitive event.”

Addressing anti-doping related allegations, she said that the whereabouts failure and missed test cited by WFI do not amount to violations, stating they “do not amount to anti-doping rule violations per the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021 or the WADA Code, 2021.”

India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday hit back at the Wrestling Federation of India and said the federation wants her to quit the sport. Vinesh insisted that she is fully eligible to return to competitive wrestling, rejecting several of the federation’s claims regarding timelines and rule violations.

After arriving in Gonda, where the National Open Ranking tournament is taking place, she told reporters that she had replied to the WFI’s show-cause notice and remained eligible to return from retirement. The WFI, however, maintained that she cannot compete until disciplinary proceedings against her are completed.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: Paris Olympics fallout and charges

Vinesh had announced her retirement from the sport after her disqualification from the women’s 50kg gold medal bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

While her husband Sombir Rathi said that Vinesh never announced her retirement officially and merely posted it on social media, the WFI maintained that a communication from UWW in December 2024 acknowledged that she had intimated the International Testing Agency (ITA) about her retirement.

The federation has sought her explanation on several charges, including her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Games after failing to make weight, alleged whereabouts failures 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 women wrestlers at the Ranking event is scheduled between 5 pm and 7 pm on Monday, while the competition is scheduled for Tuesday.

The medal winners at the event are likely to get a chance to compete at the World Championship trials later this year, but they won't be allowed to compete in Asian Games trials as per WFI policy.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: WFI not satisfied with Vinesh’s response

WFI sources said the federation was not satisfied with her reply and felt that the wrestler had addressed only the eligibility aspect while failing to respond comprehensively to the broader disciplinary charges levelled against her in the detailed notice issued on Saturday.

“The reply is not enough. She has not answered the full show-cause notice. Until a disciplinary hearing is conducted and the matter is decided, she cannot be permitted to compete,” a WFI source told PTI.

"We will not stop her from coming here but until we have a full explanation, and not just on one issue, she has to wait," added the source.

The controversy erupted after the WFI issued a strongly worded show-cause notice to the celebrated wrestler, accusing her of indiscipline, breach of federation rules and anti-doping-related procedural violations.

Before that, Vinesh had claimed that the WFI was trying to block her entry.

The WFI also maintained that a “wrong narrative” was being spread that the selection criteria for the National Open Ranking Tournament had been altered specifically to prevent Vinesh from competing.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: Vinesh cites WADA, UWW rules

Immediately after landing at the nearby Ayodhya airport, Vinesh replied to the WFI’s show-cause notice, claiming that Rule 5.6.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code concerning retired athletes does not apply to her as she had already informed United World Wrestling in June about her decision to resume competition after retirement.

As per UWW rules, any athlete seeking to return to competition from retirement must notify UWW at least six months in advance while remaining available for testing during that period.

Vinesh argued that her formal intimation to UWW about her comeback fulfilled the procedural requirements needed to return to competition.

She said she had informed the WFI on December 12 that she intended to return to the sport. "Why did you have to wait for six months to give me show cause notice just two days before the competition?" she said.

Still, she gave a short reply initially and will give a full reply within the stipulated 14 days.

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI controversy: Hello and welcome!

Vinesh Phogat vs WFI row intensifies!

Setting up a fresh showdown with the Wrestling Federation of India, Vinesh Phogat insisted on Monday that she will compete at the National Open Ranking tournament and not “take sanyaas”, defying the ban imposed by the governing body.

She told reporters that she has replied to the WFI’s show-cause notice and is eligible to return from retirement. The WFI, however, says she cannot compete until disciplinary proceedings against her are complete.

The WFI had declared Vinesh ineligible to participate in domestic events till June 26, 2026, citing the mandatory six-month notice period linked to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.

"What do you expect me to do? Shall i take sanyaas and stay away? Accept defeat? So that their conspiracy against me succeeds?" Phogat told reporters after meeting WFI officials.