Vinesh Phogat's registration complete, WFI chief dismisses non-participation claims
Synopsis
WFI chief Sanjay Singh has publicly confirmed that Vinesh Phogat's registration for the May Senior Open Ranking Tournament is already complete, directly contradicting her claims that the federation blocked her entry. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the Olympic wrestler and wrestling administration as she navigates her comeback after Paris disqualification.
Key Takeaways
WFI president Sanjay Singh confirmed Vinesh Phogat's registration for the Senior Open Ranking Tournament (May 10–12) is already processed.
Vinesh had alleged the WFI portal showed registrations as closed and staff were unresponsive to her calls.
Singh stated approximately 800 wrestlers have registered without reporting similar issues.
Vinesh reversed her retirement decision in December 2024 and is pursuing a comeback after 20 months away from competition.
She remains in dispute with the Haryana Wrestling Association over Federation Cup 2026 selection criteria.
New Delhi, April 28 — Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh on Monday dismissed claims by ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat that the federation had blocked her entry into next month's Senior Open Ranking Tournament, stating her registration had already been processed and questioning why she was raising the issue publicly.
The registration dispute
The Senior Open Ranking Tournament is scheduled for May 10–12 at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, with the registration deadline set for April 30. Vinesh had alleged that she was unable to register because the WFI portal showed registrations as closed and federation staff were not responding to her inquiries.
WFI's response
Singh refuted the allegation and provided exclusive documentation to IANS (Asian News International) confirming Vinesh's registration status. "Vinesh Phogat's registration has already been completed. Why is she creating an unnecessary ruckus? We have not stopped any wrestler from participating; they are all most welcome," Singh told IANS. He added that approximately 800 wrestlers had registered without reporting similar issues.
Vinesh's comeback trajectory
Vinesh announced her retirement in December 2024, hours after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024, but reversed that decision and has been eyeing a return to competitive wrestling after nearly 20 months away from active competition. In February 2025, she publicly criticised the Haryana Wrestling Association, alleging unfair selection criteria for the upcoming Federation Cup 2026.
Paris disqualification and aftermath
Vinesh made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, including a landmark victory over Japan's four-time world champion Yui Susaki. However, she was disqualified after being found overweight during the second weigh-in on the morning of the final. She subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) seeking a joint silver medal in the 50kg weight category, but the Ad-Hoc Division of CAS dismissed her petition in early 2025, ending her bid for an Olympic medal.
What's next
With the registration deadline approaching on April 30, the dispute is expected to be resolved within days. Singh's public confirmation of Vinesh's registration status suggests the federation views the matter as settled, though tensions between Vinesh and wrestling administration bodies remain unresolved.
Point of View
The timing of Vinesh's public complaint — just days before the deadline — suggests either genuine administrative breakdown or a strategic move to keep pressure on federation leadership. Either way, the federation's credibility gap with its elite athletes remains a structural problem that registration confirmations alone cannot fix.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the WFI block Vinesh Phogat from registering for the Senior Open Ranking Tournament?
No. WFI president Sanjay Singh confirmed that Vinesh Phogat's registration for the May 10–12 Senior Open Ranking Tournament has already been completed. Singh provided documentation to IANS and stated that no wrestlers have been prevented from participating.
When is the registration deadline for the Senior Open Ranking Tournament?
The registration deadline is April 30, 2025. The tournament itself is scheduled for May 10–12 at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
Why did Vinesh Phogat claim she could not register?
Vinesh alleged that the WFI portal displayed a message stating registrations were closed, and that federation staff were unresponsive to her calls. WFI chief Singh did not address these specific technical complaints but instead provided proof of her completed registration.
What is Vinesh Phogat's current status in wrestling?
Vinesh reversed her retirement decision in December 2024 and is pursuing a comeback after nearly 20 months away from active competition. She remains in dispute with the Haryana Wrestling Association over selection criteria for the Federation Cup 2026.
Why was Vinesh disqualified from the Paris Olympics?
Vinesh was disqualified after being found overweight during the second weigh-in on the morning of the women's 50kg wrestling final. She appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports seeking a joint silver medal, but the appeal was dismissed in early 2025.
