Vinesh reaches Gonda amid fresh WFI standoff, insists she is eligible to compete

Vinesh Phogat arrived successful Gonda connected Monday and reiterated that she is eligible to instrumentality to contention contempt the ongoing standoff with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which has maintained that the prima wrestler cannot enactment successful the National Open Ranking Tournament until disciplinary proceedings against her are completed.As per a PTI report, Vinesh instantly responded to the show-cause announcement issued by WFI aft landing successful Ayodhya, arguing that Rule 5.6.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code concerning retired athletes did not use to her case.The wrestler claimed she had already informed United World Wrestling (UWW) successful June astir her volition to resume contention aft status and had truthful complied with the required procedures for a comeback.

WFI unconvinced by Vinesh’s reply

However, WFI sources told PTI that the federation was not satisfied with the mentation provided by Vinesh.“The reply is not enough. She has not answered the afloat show-cause notice. Until a disciplinary proceeding is conducted and the substance is decided, she cannot beryllium permitted to compete,” a WFI root told PTI.The federation had earlier declared Vinesh ineligible for home events until June 26, 2026, citing the mandatory six-month announcement play linked to retired athletes returning nether anti-doping regulations.

The contention intensified aft WFI accused Vinesh of indiscipline, violating federation rules and anti-doping-related procedural lapses successful a powerfully worded notice.Retirement enactment adds much confusionVinesh had announced her status aft the heartbreak of her disqualification earlier the women’s 50kg golden medal bout astatine the 2024 Olympics successful Paris.While her hubby precocious claimed she ne'er officially retired and had simply posted astir it connected societal media, WFI has insisted that UWW communicated successful December 2024 that Vinesh had informed the International Testing Agency (ITA) astir her retirement.Vinesh, however, continues to reason that she aboriginal notified UWW astir reversing that determination and is truthful eligible to vie successful Gonda.The women’s weigh-ins are scheduled betwixt 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. connected Monday, with the contention acceptable to statesman connected Tuesday.