Vinesh Phogat’s hopes of making a competitive return ahead of the next Olympic cycle have suffered another major setback after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) issued a formal show-cause notice accusing the three-time Olympian of multiple disciplinary and anti-doping-related violations.
In a detailed 15-page notice dated May 9, the federation alleged “grave acts of indiscipline” and conduct that caused “national embarrassment”, while also declaring Phogat ineligible to participate in WFI-sanctioned competitions until at least June 26, 2026.
The suspension rules her out of the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament beginning Sunday in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, and potentially affects her immediate competitive roadmap ahead of future international events.
According to the federation, Phogat’s December 2025 communication regarding her return to training failed to satisfy the mandatory six-month notice requirement under United World Wrestling (UWW) anti-doping regulations for retired athletes seeking to return to competition.
“Pending submission and consideration of your reply, on the basis of your letter/ email dated 12 December 2025 your minimum requirement of 6 months period has not yet expired and as a consequence you shall not be eligible to participate in any WFI competitions and events till 26.06.2026 including your ineligibility to participate in the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament at Nandini Nagar, Gonda (10-12 May 2026) and any other forthcoming national, ranking, selection and international competitions, in the wider interest of the sport and the Federation,” the WFI stated in a 15-page notice.
The WFI outlined four major charges against the wrestler, including her failure to make weight before the women’s 50kg final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, an incident that resulted in her disqualification despite reaching the gold-medal bout.
The federation claimed the episode caused “lasting damage” to the image of Indian wrestling and led to the loss of a “certain medal”.
The notice also referred to a “Recorded Missed Test” communicated by the International Testing Agency (ITA) on May 4, 2026, relating to an alleged whereabouts failure on December 18, 2025. In addition, the federation accused Phogat of not complying with requirements of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in September 2024.
Another allegation centres around the March 2024 selection trials at NIS Patiala, where the WFI claimed Phogat competed in two separate weight categories, 50kg and 53kg, on the same day, allegedly violating UWW rules.
The federation further accused the wrestler of conduct “prejudicial to the integrity of doping control”, citing repeated whereabouts-related concerns.
Copies of the notice have also been sent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, NADA and UWW.
Phogat has been given 14 days to submit a written explanation and may also appear before the WFI Disciplinary Committee for a personal hearing. The federation warned that failure to respond could result in ex parte proceedings and further disciplinary action.
The latest development marks another dramatic chapter in Phogat’s turbulent journey since the Paris Olympics and raises fresh uncertainty over her long-term competitive future.