Wrestler Vinesh Phogat arrived in Gonda on Monday for the National Open Ranking tournament, a move that directly challenges the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) just two days after it issued her a 14-page show-cause notice. The federation has barred Vinesh from competition until June 26, citing multiple disciplinary breaches and anti-doping rule violations.
The Return to Competition
Vinesh, who is making a professional comeback after giving birth to her son in July, had registered for the Gonda event before the April deadline. Her primary goal is to qualify for the Asian Games trials scheduled for May 30 in Delhi. However, under the WFI’s current selection policy, winners at the Gonda tournament are not actually eligible for selection trials, adding another layer of complication to her return.
A source close to the wrestler confirmed her arrival: “Vinesh reached Gonda on Monday… She has registered for the tournament and is hoping the WFI allows her to participate.”
The WFI’s Allegations
The show-cause notice issued on Saturday outlines several serious charges against the wrestler:
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Retirement Protocols: The WFI claims Vinesh failed to provide the mandatory six-month notice required for athletes returning from retirement.
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Anti-Doping Issues: The notice alleges she missed a dope test on December 18, shortly after informing authorities of her return to training.
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Olympic Reputation: The federation cited her disqualification at the 2024 Paris Olympics for failing to make weight, stating it “damaged the reputation of Indian wrestling.”
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Procedural Violations: The WFI accused her of violating competition rules by participating in two weight categories during trials held while the federation was under suspension last year.
High-Stakes Location
The choice of venue is significant, as Gonda is the stronghold of former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Vinesh was a leading figure in the 2023 protests against Singh and recently confirmed she was one of the six complainants who accused him of sexual harassment.
While Vinesh has 14 days to formally respond to the notice and has yet to make a public statement, her presence in Gonda signals her intent to fight the suspension. Verification for the women’s freestyle competition is scheduled for Monday evening, with the official weigh-in set for Tuesday morning.
