Brij Bhushan defends WFI record as Vinesh Phogat eligibility row deepens
Synopsis
Brij Bhushan's defence of the WFI's athlete-handling record collides with Vinesh Phogat's pushback against her domestic ban. While the former federation chief insists the WFI never stops athletes without reason, Vinesh is now caught between international clearance and a domestic eligibility wall — exposing a governance fault line in Indian wrestling.
Key Takeaways
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh , former WFI president , defended the federation's athlete treatment on 12 May .
Vinesh Phogat was declared ineligible until 26 June 2026 under WADA Rule 5.6.1 disciplinary proceedings.
The ban excludes Vinesh from the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh .
Vinesh claims she missed only one whereabouts filing and has international clearance to compete.
The row exposes tension between domestic WFI rules and international anti-doping standards.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), on 12 May distanced himself from the eligibility controversy surrounding wrestler Vinesh Phogat, asserting that decisions on athlete participation rest entirely with the current WFI administration. However, he defended the federation's conduct during his tenure, stating that the body never arbitrarily barred competitors from events.
Brij Bhushan's Defence
Speaking to reporters, Brij Bhushan said: "Where wrestling will be held or where it will not be held is not my subject. That is a matter for the Wrestling Federation of India to decide: where the trials will take place, who will participate, and who will not." He added that during his years leading the WFI, "the federation never stops any athlete from participating because WFI exists for the welfare of the players. If someone has been prevented from participating, there must have been a reason for it, and that reason would also have been communicated."
The Vinesh Phogat Ban
The WFI issued a 15-page show cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, declaring her "ineligible" to participate in any sanctioned competitions or events until at least 26 June 2026. The ban specifically excludes her from the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament, which was scheduled to begin on Sunday in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The federation cited ongoing disciplinary proceedings under WADA's Rule 5.6.1, which governs retired athletes returning to competition.
Vinesh's Counter-Argument
The former World Championships medallist attended the National Open Ranking Tournament and met with WFI president Sanjay Singh. After the meeting, Vinesh told reporters that she had never violated anti-doping rules and had only missed one whereabouts filing. "If I had broken any rule, NADA India would have given me a show-cause notice or banned me. WADA would have done the same," she said. She explained that she had missed one of three required whereabouts filings while managing new motherhood and legislative duties, and had apologised to WADA, which subsequently cleared her for international competition.
The International Versus Domestic Divide
Vinesh questioned the WFI's position, highlighting that international authorities had accepted her eligibility. "If I can compete internationally, then they should accept the International Federation's decision that I can play," she said. This stance exposes a friction between the WFI's domestic eligibility criteria and the clearance given by global anti-doping bodies, raising questions about the federation's authority to impose stricter standards than international rules permit.
What Comes Next
The row underscores deeper tensions within Indian wrestling governance, with the federation's disciplinary process appearing at odds with international anti-doping protocols. Vinesh's eligibility for upcoming domestic tournaments now hinges on whether the WFI will align with international rulings or maintain its own compliance framework.
Point of View
As Brij Bhushan claims, then blocking a returning Olympian from domestic trials while international federations have green-lit her participation looks less like governance and more like gatekeeping.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Vinesh Phogat been declared ineligible by the WFI?
The WFI issued a 15-page show cause notice citing ongoing disciplinary proceedings under WADA Rule 5.6.1, which applies to retired athletes returning to competition. The federation claims the proceedings are still active and therefore bar her from domestic sanctioned events until at least 26 June 2026.
What is Vinesh's response to the eligibility ban?
Vinesh has stated she never violated anti-doping rules and only missed one of three required whereabouts filings, for which she apologised to WADA. WADA subsequently cleared her for international competition, and she argues that if international bodies have accepted her eligibility, the WFI should do the same.
What is WADA Rule 5.6.1?
WADA Rule 5.6.1 governs the return of retired athletes to competition. It requires compliance with anti-doping obligations, including whereabouts filings, before an athlete can resume sanctioned events.
Has Vinesh been cleared by international bodies?
Yes, according to Vinesh's statement, WADA cleared her after she apologised for missing one whereabouts filing. She claims this clearance should allow her to compete in international events and, by extension, domestic tournaments.
What did Brij Bhushan say about the WFI's athlete treatment?
Brij Bhushan stated that during his tenure as WFI president, the federation never stopped any athlete from competing without valid reason, and that any restrictions would have been communicated. He added that current decisions on participation rest with the present WFI administration.
