Vinesh Phogat defended her eligibility after being barred from the Senior National Open Ranking Tournament by the Wrestling Federation of India. She clarified that both the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had approved her return to competition from January 1, 2026.
The Wrestling Federation of India prevented Phogat from participating in the tournament due to ongoing disciplinary proceedings under WADA’s Rule 5.6.1, which concerns retired athletes re-entering competition. Despite this, Phogat asserted her compliance with anti-doping regulations, citing a single missed whereabouts filing.
Phogat expressed confusion over the federation’s stance, highlighting her clearance by international bodies. She shared a letter from the ITA confirming her eligibility, emphasizing her clean record in sports and the negative results of subsequent doping tests. Phogat underscored her commitment to fair competition and the opportunity to showcase her skills on the mat.
