New Delhi: Vinesh Phogat has complied with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) mandatory six-month notice requirement for athletes returning from retirement, sources close to the wrestler have claimed, even as fresh controversies cloud his return to competitive wrestling.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Vinesh, who reversed his decision to retire in December 2025, is scheduled to compete in the Senior Open Ranking Series in Gonda from May 10-12 in the 57 kg category. However, his return has been mired in controversy over portal registration issues, failure to undergo out-of-competition testing, and questions about his eligibility under WADA regulations.
The latest hurdle concerns Article 5.6.1 of WADA’s Anti-Doping Code, which requires athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to provide six months’ written notice to both the International Federation and National Anti-Doping Agency before resuming competition after retirement.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has sought clarification from United World Wrestling on whether Vinesh fulfilled this rule before announcing his return.“If she is only eligible then she can compete otherwise not. If Vinesh had sought exemption we would have been informed by the authorities,” WFI president. Sanjay Singh said.However, sources close to the wrestler told TOI that Vinesh had formally informed both WADA and UWW in June 2025 of his intention to return at the end of the year and had submitted the Form 1 required under Article 5.6.1.“If this was not the case, how come the ITA’s anti-doping team, on the instructions of the UWW, came to Bengaluru in December 2025 to take Vinesh’s samples?” asked the source. “The dope test took place in June 2025, six months after WADA implemented the six-month notice rule.”However, despite clearing the qualification hurdle, Vinesh’s hopes of representing India in the upcoming Asian Games are bleak. Under the WFI’s selection policy, only medalists from the 2025 Senior Nationals, 2026 Federation Cup and 2026 Under-20 Nationals can compete in the Asiad trials later this month, effectively closing the door for Vinesh regardless of his performance in Gonda.
