Eyeing a return to full-fledged wrestling after nearly two years, star grappler Vinesh Phogat has alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India was deliberately creating hurdles in her comeback.
Vinesh, who stepped away from the sport following her heartbreak at the 2024 Paris Olympics, revealed that she had been preparing to compete at next month's National Open Ranking tournament. However, she has been unable to register after finding the WFI portal closed, despite an April 8 circular stating that entries would remain open until April 30, according to an article on The Indian Express.
The tournament is scheduled from May 10 to May 12 and will take place at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The report says that the venue is closely associated with former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who founded the institution and previously represented the region as a Member of Parliament.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is currently facing trial in a Delhi court on charges of sexual harassment brought by several top women wrestlers following a protest movement in New Delhi in 2023 led by Vinesh Phogat alongside Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Vinesh said her attempts to contact WFI officials have gone unanswered. “I am hoping to make a comeback at the National Open Ranking Tournament. The registration was open till April 30, but when I tried to register, the portal showed it as closed. I've been trying to reach the administrative staff, but haven't received any response,” she said.
Responding to the allegations, Sanjay Singh, the president of WFI, insisted there was no intention to block any athlete. He stated that similar issues had been raised by other wrestlers and were resolved once they contacted federation staff. “We are not stopping anyone from competing. The tournament is open to all,” he said.
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Singh further clarified that the event offers a crucial opportunity for wrestlers who missed the 2025 National Championships and the 2026 Federation Cup to stay in contention for the Asian Games selection trials. As per WFI policy, only medallists from those events are directly eligible, but strong performances at the Open Ranking tournament could secure a place in the national camp, keeping athletes in the selection mix.
Vinesh, however, maintained that she has faced repeated obstacles. She has also pointed to the Federation Cup, where she had intended to compete but was unable to do so after last-minute changes in the selection criteria. “It feels like a deliberate attempt to stop me, especially when this tournament is vital for Asian Games and World Championships qualification,” she said.
The upcoming Asian Games are scheduled for September, followed by the World Championships in October, making the upcoming event crucial for qualification.
Vinesh's last appearance on the big stage came in Paris, where she qualified for the final in the 50kg category but was disqualified on the morning of her gold medal match for missing weight. After more than a year away, she announced her return in December, expressing her determination to chase redemption and build toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with renewed resolve.
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