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The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday (May 9) issued a show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations, and barred her from domestic competitions till June 26, 2026 for failing to complete the mandatory six-month notice period under UWW Anti-Doping Rules for athletes returning from retirement.

It means that the two-time World Championship medallist will have to wait for her comeback as she was targeting the National Open Ranking event in Gonda, starting Sunday, for her return to competition after quitting the sport in 2024 following her disqualification from the Paris Olympic Games.

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Allegations have flown thick and fast in the last few days. Vinesh had accused WFI of blocking her entry for the Gonda event and also said that she was one of the six complainants against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment.

Vinesh’s eligibility under scrutiny

In the 15-page notice, the WFI alleged that Vinesh’s conduct had caused “lasting damage to reputation of Indian wrestling” in Paris and violated provisions of the WFI Constitution, UWW International Wrestling Rules and anti-doping regulations. WFI said that compliance with WADA rules was non-negotiable and the onus to prove her eligibility was on Vinesh.

“We have to see if WADA rules have been followed properly. It has not yet been proved that she has fulfilled the requirements for coming back from retirement. She has to complete the mandatory six-month notice period before she becomes eligible to compete again,” WFI President Sanjay Singh told PTI.

The federation has sought her explanation on several charges, including her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics after failing to make weight, alleged whereabouts failures under anti-doping rules, and competing in two weight categories during the March 2024 selection trials conducted by the then IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel.

The federation specifically mentioned that she is not eligible to compete in any domestic event till June 26 this year, including the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda.

“The Federation must satisfy itself that you have not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation that would render you ineligible to represent the Federation in any forthcoming competition,” the notice stated.

Paris Olympics disqualification row

The notice devoted substantial space to Vinesh’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics, where she had reached the women’s 50kg final after a stunning opening-round victory over Japanese legend Yui Susaki. Vinesh was later disqualified after weighing 100 grams over the permissible limit ahead of the gold medal bout against American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt.

Also read | Vinesh Phogat announces return to wrestling after 18-month retirement

The WFI stated that she had cleared the first weigh-in at 49.9kg on August 6, 2024 but failed the second mandatory weigh-in the following morning despite being given the full 15-minute window and multiple opportunities.

The federation has asked Vinesh to explain why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against her under various provisions of the WFI Constitution dealing with indiscipline, unsportsmanlike behaviour and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the federation and the sport. Vinesh has 14 days to respond to the notice.

(With agency inputs)