New Delhi, 09 May (H.S.): The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday barred star wrestler Vinesh Phogat from participating in the Senior Open Ranking Series competition starting May 10 in Gonda. The federation issued a 15-page show-cause notice to her, alleging indiscipline and several doping-related charges.

This has also postponed her competitive return nearly 20 months after her retirement following the Paris Olympics.

The WFI stated that Vinesh is ineligible to participate in any WFI competition or event until May 26, 2026, due to violation of provisions related to retirement and return under United World Wrestling (UWW) rules.

In the notice issued by the federation, Vinesh has been accused of not submitting whereabouts information under UWW Anti-Doping Rules 2015, indiscipline, and conduct against the interests of the sport of wrestling and WFI.

The allegations against Vinesh include being declared ineligible at the Paris Olympics for failing to meet the weight requirement, violation of WFI constitution, anti-doping cases related to violation of whereabouts rules, and participating in both 50kg and 53kg weight categories during the selection trials held on March 11, 2024, at NIS Patiala, which has been termed a violation of UWW competition rules.

The federation also mentioned an alleged missed dope test on December 18, 2025, notified by the International Testing Agency.

The WFI stated, The Wrestling Federation of India has issued a show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat. She has been served notice in several cases, including violation of United World Wrestling whereabouts rules and Article 5.7 of UWW Anti-Doping Rules 2015, serious indiscipline, and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the sport of wrestling and WFI.

The federation said, On the basis of records available with the federation, public reports, the reasoned Award of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Ad hoc division dated 14/16 August 2024, and correspondence on record, the WFI has reason to believe, prima facie, that you have committed acts and omissions which are seriously prejudicial to the discipline, image, reputation and interests of WFI, the Indian wrestling fraternity and the nation, and which constitute violations of the WFI constitution, the UWW International wrestling rules and the National Anti-Doping Rules 2021.

The notice demands Vinesh's response within 14 days from May 9, 2026, as to why disciplinary action should not be initiated against her.

The notice states, Based on your letter/email dated December 12, 2025, and available records, your mandatory minimum six-month period has not yet been completed. Therefore, you are not eligible to participate in any WFI competition and event until May 26, 2026. This includes the Senior Open Ranking Series competition from May 10 to 12 in Nandini Nagar, Gonda, and other upcoming national ranking, selection, and international competitions.

This development is seen as a major setback for Vinesh Phogat, who was preparing for a competitive return after retiring following her disqualification despite reaching the women's 50kg final at the Paris Olympics.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar