Top News

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat alleged she was barred from completing verification and denied access to the training hall at the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda despite having written clearance from the International Testing Agency. Her statement came after the Wrestling Federation of India issued a show-cause notice accusing her of indiscipline and alleged anti-doping violations.

New Delhi: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday evening said in a post on X that she was neither allowed to complete her verification nor permitted to use the training hall at Gonda, where she had gone to participate in the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament.

Her statement comes after she acknowledged the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) show-cause notice issued on May 9, in which the three-time Olympian was accused of indiscipline and alleged anti-doping violations, and was declared ineligible to compete in the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda.

In her earlier statement posted on X, Phogat said she would submit a detailed response to the show-cause notice after consulting her legal team and advisors, while asserting that she remains eligible to compete and intended to participate in the tournament.

However, in a subsequent post, Vinesh Phogat said she had written approval from the International Testing Agency (ITA) allowing her to compete from January 1, 2026, and had also been permitted to register for the 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament at Nandini Nagar, Gonda. She further alleged that after reaching the venue, she was not allowed to complete verification or access the training facility. Phogat further added that she is not seeking any special treatment, only a chance to compete on fair terms.