Sakshi Malik backs Vinesh Phogat after WFI denied entry; urges PM Modi, Sports Minister to intervene

Sakshi Malik has come out in support of Vinesh Phogat amid the wrestler’s ongoing dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over her comeback to competitive wrestling. The Rio Olympic medallist criticised the federation after Vinesh was denied entry into the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. The WFI cited retirement-related regulations and anti-doping procedures while declaring the wrestler ineligible to compete.

Vinesh had planned to participate in the 57kg category, which would have marked her first tournament since becoming a mother and reversing her retirement decision. Speaking about that, Sakshi questioned the federation’s handling of the situation and said women athletes should receive support after motherhood instead of facing additional barriers.

"I can give many examples where sports federations in other countries make rules easier for their athletes so that women there can



continue to compete for the country and win medals even after becoming mothers. On the other hand, our federation brings in such rules just two days before so that Vinesh is unable to make a comeback," Sakshi said in a video on X on Tuesday.

In the meantime, the WFI has maintained that Vinesh cannot return to competition before June 26, 2026, referring to WADA Rule 5.6.1 regarding notice periods for retired athletes. Vinesh, however, shared a letter from the International Testing Agency dated July 3, 2025. The document reportedly confirmed that she would become eligible to return to competition on January 1, 2026.

The federation had also referred to a missed doping whereabouts filing from December 2025 in a show-cause notice issued to the wrestler. Vinesh later explained that the missed filing came during a period when she was managing the care of her newborn son while attending the Haryana Assembly winter session.