The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has issued a formal show cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, a three-time Olympian, for alleged acts of indiscipline and rule violations causing national embarrassment. Vinesh has been deemed “ineligible” for any competitions until June 26, 2026, excluding the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The WFI cited a lack of compliance with the mandatory six-month notice period for her return to training in December 2025.
The 15-page notice, dated May 9, requires Vinesh to justify her actions following incidents from the Paris 2024 Games to recent anti-doping failures. The WFI has forwarded copies of the notice to various sports bodies, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Indian Olympic Association. Vinesh has been accused of multiple charges, including failing to meet weight requirements at the Paris Olympics 2024 final, leading to disqualification and reputational damage to Indian wrestling.
Among the allegations, Vinesh is accused of a “Recorded Missed Test” in December 2025 and non-compliance with National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) regulations in September 2024. The wrestler is also charged with violating UWW rules by competing in two different weight categories on the same day during selection trials in March 2024. The notice highlights her failure to adhere to UWW Anti-Doping Rules, specifically Article 5.7 regarding retired athletes returning to competition.
Vinesh has been given a 14-day deadline to respond to the charges and has the option for a personal hearing before the WFI Disciplinary Committee. Failure to provide a written reply within the stipulated period may lead to the federation making final decisions without her input.
