Former World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Monday defended her eligibility to compete after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) barred her from the Senior National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. She asserted that both the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had cleared her to return to competition effective January 1, 2026.

The dispute centres on WADA's Rule 5.6.1, which governs retired athletes returning to competition. The WFI cited ongoing disciplinary proceedings under this rule as grounds for her ineligibility, despite international clearance. Vinesh countered that she had committed no anti-doping violation and had only missed a single whereabouts filing.

What Vinesh said

Speaking to reporters after meeting WFI President Sanjay Singh, Vinesh stated: "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 explained that the missed whereabouts filing occurred while she was managing motherhood and legislative duties. "I had just become a mother at that time. I had an assembly session. I forgot to update. I even apologised to WADA for that. They cleared me and told me I can participate in any international event."

The international clearance

Vinesh shared a letter from the ITA dated July 3, 2025, confirming her eligibility to return to competition on January 1, 2026. The ITA, which manages the anti-doping program for United World Wrestling, had previously apologised for administrative delays in processing her return. She also disclosed that she underwent two doping tests post-clearance, both returning negative results.

Vinesh's case for fairness

Vinesh questioned the federation's position, arguing that if international authorities had accepted her eligibility, the WFI should recognise the decision. "If I can compete internationally, then they should accept the International Federation's decision that I can play," she said. She emphasised her desire for a fair opportunity to prove herself on the mat, referencing earlier protests at Jantar Mantar that had opposed giving her a trial. "After giving a trial, whoever is best in India should prove it on the mat. If you don't let me step on the mat, how will it be determined who has worked harder?"

WFI's statement

The WFI later released a statement confirming that Vinesh received full security and support during her visit. "Vinesh Phogat was given full security from the moment she arrived," the federation said. "As everyone present witnessed, she met the officials and was informed about her ineligibility to participate according to the rules. She interacted with the media freely and was not stopped or interrupted. Following this, she left the venue peacefully."

The standoff underscores a jurisdictional tension between India's wrestling body and international anti-doping authorities, with Vinesh's eligibility hanging on how the WFI interprets WADA's Rule 5.6.1 in the domestic context.