Vinesh Phogat’s return from retirement looks doubtful

Vinesh Phogat’s return to competitive wrestling at the upcoming Senior Open Ranking tournament in Nandininagar, Uttar Pradesh, looks doubtful as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has raised doubts over her eligibility on the basis of a United World Wrestling (UWW) regulation on retired athletes.

The 31-year-old, who retired following her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics and gave birth to a baby boy in July last, reversed her retirement decision on December 12, 2025.

The two-time Worlds medallist got a notice from the International Testing Agency for missing an out-of-competition dope test on December 18, 2025.

“Any retired wrestler who wishes to return to competition shall announce it to UWW at least six months before and be available for doping tests during this period (article 5.6.2 of the Anti-doping Rules 2021),” says a UWW rule.

It’s learnt that Vinesh has been tested after her whereabouts failure in December.

“We’ve written to UWW asking about her eligibility,” WFI president Sanjay Singh told The Hindu.

Meanwhile, ‘in accordance with’ its selection policy for the Asian Games released in February, the WFI will hold the trials on May 30 and 31 in Delhi (women) and Lucknow (men) respectively. Medal winners of the 2025 National championships and 2026 Federation Cup and National under-20 championships are eligible to participate. The pre-mentioned National under-23 championships, which is yet to be held, and the Open Ranking tournament fall outside the ambit of trials.

“Since the deadline to submit Asiad entries to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is June 4, we must act fast,” said a WFI official.