Sakshi Malik Supports Vinesh Phogat After WFI Denies Gonda Tournament Entry

May 12, 2026: The ongoing dispute between Vinesh Phogat and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has now received strong support from fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik. The Rio Olympics medallist questioned the federation after Vinesh was denied permission to participate in the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda.

Vinesh was expected to compete in the 57kg category, which would have marked her return to wrestling after becoming a mother and reversing her retirement decision. However, the federation declared her ineligible, citing retirement rules and anti-doping regulations. Sakshi criticised the move and said Indian women athletes deserve better support after motherhood.

Speaking in a video on X, Sakshi said many international sports federations make special arrangements to help female athletes continue their careers after becoming mothers. She added that the WFI introduced such rules just days before the tournament, making it difficult for Vinesh to return.

#Olympic medallist #SakshiMalik has backed #VineshPhogat in her dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India over returning from #retirement. Sakshi urged Prime Minister #NarendraModi and sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene, saying many countries support athletes… pic.twitter.com/pyz3yBQL3H

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) May 12, 2026

WFI Maintains Strict Stand On Vinesh’s Return

The WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) has stated that Vinesh cannot compete before June 26, 2026, under WADA Rule 5.6.1, which deals with the notice period for retired athletes returning to competition. However, Vinesh shared a letter from the International Testing Agency dated July 3, 2025, which reportedly confirmed that she would become eligible from January 1, 2026.

The federation had also sent a show-cause notice to Vinesh regarding a missed doping whereabouts filing in December 2025. The wrestler later clarified that the issue happened during a difficult period when she was taking care of her newborn son while also attending the Haryana Assembly winter session.

Sakshi urged the authorities to allow Vinesh to participate in trials and continue representing the country in major events like the Asian Games. She appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and the WFI to support Vinesh’s comeback.

Arriving in Gonda for the National Open Ranking Tournament, Vinesh Phogat hits back at the WFI’s show-cause notice, maintaining that she is eligible to compete and stating that the federation misinterpreted the timeline of her break from the sport.

Hear from the wrestler as she… pic.twitter.com/x4aKZoQJY2

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) May 11, 2026

According to Sakshi, Vinesh can become an inspiration for women athletes in India by proving that motherhood does not have to end a sporting career. She said women should be encouraged to continue competing and winning medals for the country even after becoming mothers.

Vinesh, who is the mother of a 10-month-old son, has already responded to the federation’s notice and remains determined to continue her wrestling career. The Haryana wrestler had retired after her heartbreaking disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics final for being 100 grams over the weight limit. She later joined politics and won elections from the Julana constituency.

The latest controversy also brings back memories of the 2023 wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar, where Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang Punia protested against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.