Vinesh Phogat accuses WFI of blocking comeback bid, federation denies
Synopsis
Vinesh Phogat's comeback attempt has hit a fresh roadblock — allegedly at the hands of the very federation meant to govern her sport. With the WFI portal reportedly shutting her out before the April 30 deadline, the dispute echoes a pattern of institutional friction that has followed the Olympic finalist since Paris 2024.
Key Takeaways
Vinesh Phogat alleged the WFI portal closed before the April 30 registration deadline for the Senior Open Ranking Tournament .
The tournament is scheduled from 10 to 12 May at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh .
WFI chief Sanjay Singh denied any attempt to block Vinesh, saying similar complaints from other wrestlers were resolved.
Vinesh had earlier alleged unfair selection criteria by the Haryana Wrestling Association for the Federation Cup 2026 .
Vinesh reversed her retirement decision in December 2024 , nearly 20 months after her Paris Olympics disqualification.
Ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat has accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) of deliberately preventing her from registering for the Senior Open Ranking Tournament scheduled from 10 to 12 May in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, alleging that the registration portal was closed before the April 30 deadline and WFI staff remained unresponsive to her calls. The WFI, however, has denied any attempt to obstruct her participation.
What Vinesh Alleged
Vinesh claimed that when she attempted to register for the tournament — to be held at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya, Gonda — the portal displayed a 'registrations closed' message, despite the official deadline being April 30. She also alleged that repeated calls to WFI administrative staff went unanswered.
Point of View
The WFI's communication failure — not responding to a high-profile athlete's calls — is itself a governance lapse that demands accountability. With Asian Games and World Championship selection trials on the horizon, the federation cannot afford to let process disputes overshadow athletic merit.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Vinesh Phogat accusing the WFI?
Vinesh Phogat has accused the Wrestling Federation of India of deliberately closing the registration portal before the April 30 deadline, preventing her from entering the Senior Open Ranking Tournament scheduled from 10 to 12 May in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. She also alleged that WFI administrative staff did not respond to her calls.
What is the Senior Open Ranking Tournament?
It is a national-level wrestling competition scheduled from 10 to 12 May 2025 at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The tournament is significant for athletes seeking selection for the Asian Games and World Championship trials.
How did the WFI respond to Vinesh's allegations?
WFI chief Sanjay Singh denied any attempt to block Vinesh or any other wrestler, stating that similar complaints from other wrestlers had been resolved after they contacted federation staff. He maintained that the tournament remains open to all participants.
When did Vinesh Phogat reverse her retirement decision?
Vinesh reversed her retirement decision in December 2024, approximately 20 months after she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 final for being overweight at the second weigh-in.
What happened to Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics?
Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final at Paris 2024, famously defeating Japan's four-time world champion Yui Susaki en route. However, she was disqualified after being found overweight at the morning weigh-in on the day of the final. Her appeal for a joint silver medal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
