Ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat has criticized the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for allegedly obstructing her participation in the upcoming National Open Ranking tournament. Despite the deadline being April 30, Vinesh claimed that the registration portal is inaccessible, impeding her entry into the tournament. Vinesh, who initially retired but is now eyeing a return after almost 20 months, expressed frustration over the unresponsiveness of WFI administrative staff.
The Senior Open Ranking Tournament is scheduled for May 10 to 12 in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. Vinesh highlighted her struggles to register for the competition, citing the closed portal and lack of communication from WFI officials. She emphasized her desire to compete in the National Open Ranking Tournament but faced obstacles in the registration process, leading to concerns about her participation.
Vinesh had previously raised concerns about the selection criteria set by the Haryana Wrestling Association for the Federation Cup 2026. Expressing disappointment over the sudden changes in selection rules, she felt that these alterations were aimed at preventing her from participating in crucial tournaments necessary for Asian Games and World Championship trials. Despite her allegations, WFI President Sanjay Singh denied any deliberate attempts to exclude athletes, assuring that the tournament remains open to all interested participants.
Vinesh Phogat, who made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final in Paris, faced disqualification due to weight issues. Despite her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports for a joint silver medal, her petition was dismissed, dashing her hopes of securing an Olympic medal.
