Vinesh Phogat has been declared ineligible to participate in wrestling competitions till June 26, 2026 by the Wrestling Federation of India. The federation issued a 15-page show-cause notice against the two-time World Championships medallist on Saturday.
The WFI accused Vinesh of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations. The federation also said she cannot compete in any domestic event before June 26 because she did not complete the mandatory six-month notice period required for athletes returning from retirement under UWW Anti-Doping Rules.
This ruling has delayed her planned comeback to competitive wrestling. Vinesh was expected to return at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, which starts on Sunday.
WFI says the star wrestler cannot return to competition yet
According to the WFI, wrestlers who return from retirement must officially notify the world governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW), at least six months before competing again. During this period, athletes must also remain available for anti-doping testing.
The federation said Vinesh had informed UWW Anti-Doping in an email dated December 14, 2024 that she was on a “sabbatical until August 2025.” She reportedly stated that she would resume compliance with whereabouts obligations only after that period.
Later, on December 12, 2025, Vinesh wrote to the Sports Authority of India, WFI and TOPS-SAI about resuming training and targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, WFI claimed this communication did not satisfy the required six-month notice period under Article 5.7 of the UWW Anti-Doping Rules.
The notice also mentioned a missed doping test. The International Testing Agency (ITA), acting on behalf of UWW, recorded a “missed test” against Vinesh after doping control officials could not locate her on December 18, 2025.
“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.
The WFI also referred to an earlier whereabouts failure notice reportedly issued by NADA in September 2024.
Apart from anti-doping concerns, the federation raised questions over her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics and her participation in two weight categories during the 2024 selection trials in Patiala.
Vinesh has been given 14 days to respond to the notice.
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