UWW anti-doping email confirms Vinesh Phogat retirement notice to ITA in 2024 as WFI rejects Asian Games selection claim

United World Wrestling (UWW) recorded in December 2024 that Vinesh Phogat informed the International Testing Agency (ITA) about retirement. The message came from UWW’s anti-doping department on December 20, 2024.

This position differed from claims by Vinesh Phogat’s husband, Sombir Rathi, about an official retirement notice.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) also rejected allegations about Asian Games selection rules. WFI said a false claim suggested the federation changed criteria to block Vinesh Phogat. The dispute linked to Vinesh Phogat’s return plans and anti-doping requirements for athletes coming back after retirement.

Vinesh Phogat retirement notice and World Anti-Doping Code rule

In its email to Vinesh Phogat, UWW Anti-Doping wrote: "We have taken due note of your retirement, which was communicated to the International Testing Agency ITA on the 20.12.2024." The same communication said Vinesh Phogat was removed from the Registered Testing Pool (RTP). It added Vinesh Phogat no longer needed to file whereabouts information.

The email also set conditions for any return to competition. It said Vinesh Phogat could not compete in International or National Events. The restriction applied until six months after notice to ITA or the federation. UWW cited Article 5.6.1 of the World Anti-Doping Code for this process.

Under the WADA provision, results can be cancelled for breaking rule 5.6.1. An exception applies if an athlete could not reasonably know the event level. The six-month window aims to stop long gaps outside testing. It also seeks to ensure monitoring before athletes compete again.

Vinesh Phogat announced a comeback from retirement on December 12. An anti-doping test was then missed on December 18. ITA listed it as a first whereabouts failure in 12 months after comeback. Three missed tests can lead to a ban under anti-doping rules.

Sombir, speaking to media, said on Friday that no official retirement was announced. Sombir said rule 5.6.1 did not apply for that reason. Sombir added that Vinesh Phogat only posted retirement on social media. Calls and messages to Sombir later went unanswered.

WFI Asian Games selection criteria and Vinesh Phogat claims

WFI president Sanjay Singh denied that any policy was tweaked to block Vinesh Phogat. He said the standards were shared earlier with authorities. "The narrative that WFI changed the selection policy to stop Vinesh is completely wrong. We had informed the Sports Authority of India SAI and the Sports Ministry about the criteria back in February itself. The National Open Ranking tournament was not listed and we have retained the same policy now as well," he said.

WFI said eligibility for Asian Games selection trials depended on specific results. Medal winners at the 2025 Nationals can enter the trials. The same applies to medal winners at the 2026 Federation Cup. Medal winners at the 2026 Under-20 National Championships also qualify for the trials.

WFI Asian Games trials and U23 Asian Championship participation rule

WFI issued a circular on May 6 about the U23 Asian Championship in Vietnam. It said selected wrestlers must compete in that event. It warned that withdrawals would block Asian Games trials entry.

"It has come to the notice of the Federation that some selected wrestlers are attempting to withdraw their names from participating in the above championships. At this stage it is not possible to make any amendment or replacement in the Indian squad, already finalised and submitted......Any wrestler who withdraws... shall not be permitted to participate in the selection trials for the forthcoming Asian Games," the WFI circular stated.

WFI also added a separate condition linked to the National camp. Wrestlers who did not join camp after selection were ruled out for trials. WFI told chief coaches to send attendance reports. Women’s team trials were scheduled for May 30 in Delhi. Men’s freestyle and Greco Roman trials were set for May 31 in Lucknow.

The debate around Vinesh Phogat’s return continued as rules and timelines were examined. UWW’s December 20, 2024 email confirmed the retirement notice to ITA. WFI kept its stand that selection criteria stayed unchanged. Trial eligibility requirements were also reiterated for camp attendance and U23 event participation.

With inputs from PTI