Vinesh Phogat’s Frustrating Comeback Filled with Obstacles
On a rainy Saturday, May 30, the sounds of wrestlers’ efforts filled the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in Delhi. Among them was Vinesh Phogat, a wrestling icon in India, who was trying to qualify for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. Fans from Haryana showed up in large numbers to cheer her on, but the joy in the arena was overshadowed by tension and challenges.
Vinesh has had a rocky relationship with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), and many were not surprised that her return wasn’t smooth, especially after she had missed competitions since the Paris Olympics in 2024. Sadly, it seemed that this ambitious nation, eager to host the Olympic Games, placed several hurdles in her way. The situation was so severe that the High Court noted the WFI’s actions as “vindictive.”
In fact, the legal battle between Vinesh and the WFI had become complicated enough to involve both the High Court and Supreme Court, which eventually ordered that Vinesh be allowed to compete in her preferred weight category. However, the WFI didn’t make it easy. Just a day before her trial, they announced she would have to fight in the 50kg category, a challenge considering she aimed to compete in the 57kg category.
When Vinesh arrived at the stadium early on Saturday, security refused her entry. A heated exchange ensued as she tried to explain the importance of being present for the weigh-in. Later, she revealed that the weigh-in wasn’t initially conducted at 7 am as promised. By the time they called her for the weigh-in at 8:30 am, she had registered at the 53kg instead of the 50kg.
This unexpected situation caught the media’s attention, with many concerned about the three-time Olympian’s fate. Her support team, undeterred by the WFI’s tactics, came prepared with their own scales and supplies.
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was electric yet tense. Vinesh’s supporters filled one side, while WFI officials and their supporters occupied the other. Every time Vinesh needed encouragement, the WFI crowd cheered, adding to the tension.
The climax of the day came during her quarter-final match against Nishu. Vinesh, trailing 0-5, attempted a pivotal pinfall but the referee intervened, awarding her points instead. This decision sparked outrage from her camp, leading to a chaotic scene where her husband, Somvir Rathee, even stepped onto the mat to protest. As the commotion escalated, even the police had to intervene.
Despite the turmoil, Vinesh ultimately lost in the semi-finals to rising star Meenakshi, to the satisfaction of the WFI supporters. Sadly, the day became more about the struggles she faced rather than her return to wrestling.
It raises an important question: If celebrated athletes like Vinesh experience such treatment, what might be happening to less-known wrestlers within the system? Vinesh had previously made serious allegations against the federation and its past leadership but received little support in return.
What should have been a moment of joy for the athlete turned into a nightmare filled with confusion over her weight class, concerns about her supplies, and unfair referee calls. In many countries, such behavior from a sporting federation would instigate serious backlash, but the WFI showed little sign of accountability.
While the cheers for Vinesh echoed through the stadium, they couldn’t silence the chaos around her. The day felt more like a battle of wills than a celebration of returning to the sport she loves.
Unfortunately, this much-anticipated comeback was marred by unnecessary confrontation, leaving many, including Vinesh herself, feeling frustrated.
