UWW Reportedly Backs WFI in Ongoing Standoff With Vinesh Phogat

New Delhi, May 13: The ongoing standoff between Vinesh Phogat and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has taken another significant turn, with global wrestling governing body United World Wrestling (UWW) reportedly backing the Indian federation's authority in the matter.

According to a report by The Times of India, UWW has supported WFI's right to decide on Vinesh Phogat's future participation in competitions as well as any disciplinary proceedings involving the wrestler.

The development comes amid escalating tensions between Vinesh and the WFI over her eligibility to compete in domestic tournaments and the federation's disciplinary process.

Fresh Chapter in Vinesh-WFI Conflict

The dispute intensified after WFI declared that Vinesh would not be allowed to participate in the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda until ongoing disciplinary proceedings against her are resolved.

Vinesh, however, has strongly maintained that she remains eligible to compete and accused the federation of attempting to push her out of the sport.

"He wants me to quit wrestling," Vinesh had said earlier while reacting to the federation's stance.

The wrestler also reached the tournament venue in Gonda despite the federation's objections and insisted that she had fulfilled all eligibility requirements to make a comeback.

UWW's Reported Stand Strengthens WFI Position

The reported backing from UWW is significant because it effectively reinforces WFI's authority over disciplinary and participation-related matters concerning Indian wrestlers.

As per the TOI report, the international federation is understood to have taken the position that such decisions fall within the jurisdiction of the national federation.

The standoff is no longer being viewed merely as a technical eligibility issue but as a larger disciplinary matter, something that could influence Vinesh's immediate wrestling future and her hopes of competing at the 2026 Asian Games.

Bigger Questions Around Governance

The controversy has once again brought the spotlight back on governance issues within Indian wrestling, especially given the history of tensions between top wrestlers and the federation.

Vinesh was among the leading faces of the wrestlers' protest movement against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023, a movement that triggered major administrative upheaval within Indian wrestling.

Although the current dispute is separate from the earlier protests, it has reignited debate around athlete rights, federation powers and transparency in selection and disciplinary systems.

For now, with UWW reportedly unwilling to intervene directly and instead backing WFI's jurisdiction, the next phase of the matter is likely to depend on the federation's disciplinary mechanism and any legal or administrative steps taken by Vinesh.