Vinesh Phogat Vs WFI: Wrestler Reaches Gonda, Says She Was Cleared By WADA And Tested Twice After That

With the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) not allowing her to compete, wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday (May 11, 2026) sought to set the record straight over her eligibility status, asserting that both the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had cleared her to resume competition from January 1, 2026.

WFI has declared her ineligible under WADA’s Rule 5.6.1 pertaining to retired athletes returning to competition.

The Olympian arrived in Gonda for the National Open Ranking Tournament and met WFI president Sanjay Singh after the federation refused to allow her participation, a PTI report stated, maintaining that disciplinary proceedings against her were still pending.

Vinesh said she had only missed one whereabouts filing and had never committed any anti-doping violation. “If I had violated any rule, then NADA India would have given me a show-cause notice. Or they would have banned me. Or WADA would have given me a show-cause notice,” the report quoted Vinesh as telling journalists after the meeting.

“I had missed one whereabouts. And there are three of them. I had become a mother at that time. I had an assembly session. I forgot to update. I even apologised to WADA for that. They gave me a clean chit. They told me that I can participate in any international event,” she said.

Vinesh said she had informed WADA about the situation and was later cleared to compete. The WFI, however, had cited WADA’s rule 5.6.1, which deals with conditions for retired athletes returning to competition, to declare her ineligible for domestic events till June 26, 2026.

Questioning the federation’s stand, Vinesh said international authorities had already accepted her eligibility. “And here they are saying that they are not satisfied with anything. If I can participate internationally, then you can also be satisfied with the International Federation that I can play,” she added.

She later posted a letter from ITA on her social media handles, claiming that on July 3, 2025 an official conveyed an apology declaring that she can resume competing from January 1, 2026.

ITA manages anti-doping programme of United World Wrestling (UWW), the international body for the sport. The wrestler was further quoted as saying that she had undergone doping tests even after being cleared and had returned negative results.

“Even after that, I got my doping test done twice. It’s not like I came to the competition after avoiding my doping test. I got my doping test and came clean. I have always been clean in sports. And I am not taking anyone’s right. I am completely clean,” she asserted.

Vinesh maintained that she was only seeking a fair opportunity to compete and prove herself on the mat, as per the report. “I want a fair chance for myself. People were saying earlier (during protest at Jantar Mantar) that they don’t want to give a trial. I am still saying the same thing.

“After giving a trial, whoever is best in India, let it be decided on the mat. If you don’t even allow me to get on the mat, then how will it be decided who has worked harder,” she said.

WFI issued a statement, saying that "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.

"WFI 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," the WFI statement said.

'They Want Me To Quit'

Earlier, Vinesh termed WFI's actions a "pre-planned conspiracy" to block her comeback. "What do you expect me to do? Shall i take sanyaas and stay away? Accept defeat? So that their conspiracy against me succeeds?" Vinesh was quoted as saying after meeting Sanjay Singh.

"They can directly say they don’t want me to play or step on the mat. Instead, they are troubling me so much that I get tired and leave myself,” she said.

The two-time World Championships medallist also expressed anger over being labelled anti-national during the prolonged wrestlers’ protest against ousted WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his associates.

“I have represented this country in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships, and now they are calling me part of the ‘Tukde Tukde gang’. Maybe tomorrow they will call me a terrorist or Khalistani,” she said emotionally.

“I am a respected citizen of this country. The Constitution has given me the right to speak and the right to go anywhere in this country. Sanjay Singh has not given me these rights,” Vinesh added.

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.

(With PTI inputs)