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Vinesh Phogat

About Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat

Three-time Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined Congress ahead of Haryana polls along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia. Born on August 25, 1994. Followed cousins Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, coming from one of the most renowned wrestling families. Vinesh won her first major international title at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
 
Career:
In Paris Olympics, she became India's first woman wrestler to reach the finals but was disqualified after failing a weigh-in on the day her gold medal match. At age 9, she faced untimely death of her father and was introduced to the sport by her uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat. 
 
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Vinesh Phogat

Delhi HC allows Vinesh Phogat to participate in Asian Games 2026 trials

Court directed that Phogat shall be permitted to participate in the selection trials, the entire process shall be video-recorded by WFI, and two independent observers shall oversee the trials

Delhi HC allows Vinesh Phogat to participate in Asian Games 2026 trials
Updated On : 24 May 2026 | 9:12 AM IST

Delhi HC slams WFI over criteria ruling Vinesh Phogat ineligible to compete

Phogat, who is attempting a return after a maternity break, challenged the WFI's decision after being declared ineligible under revised rules linked to retirement and anti-doping regulations

Delhi HC slams WFI over criteria ruling Vinesh Phogat ineligible to compete
Updated On : 22 May 2026 | 4:25 PM IST

Vinesh Phogat vows fightback after WFI suspension over rule violations

Vinesh Phogat on Saturday indicated that she would fight back after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) issued a detailed show-cause notice, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations, while also declaring her ineligible to compete in domestic events till June 26. The WFI said Vinesh failed to complete the mandatory six-month notice period required for athletes returning from retirement under UWW Anti-Doping Rules. It means that the two-time World Championship medallist will have to wait for her comeback. She was targeting the National Open Ranking event in Gonda, starting Sunday, for her return to competition. She had quit the sport in 2024 after her disqualification from the Paris Olympic Games. "Life is caught in some deep whirlpool's midst. The world seeks flaws in my character, persists.. Life has always held your head held high. No sword has the power to make it bow.!!!," according to the English translation of her tweet in Hindi. Earlier in the day, th

Vinesh Phogat vows fightback after WFI suspension over rule violations
Updated On : 09 May 2026 | 11:05 PM IST

WFI bars Vinesh Phogat from events till June 2026 over rule violations

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday issued a detailed show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations, and declared her ineligible to compete in domestic events till June 26, 2026 for failing to complete the mandatory six-month notice period required for athletes returning from retirement under UWW Anti-Doping Rules. It means that the two-time World Championship medallist will have to wait for her comeback as she was tragetting the National Open Ranking event in Gonda, starting Sunday, for her return to competition after quitting the sport in 2024 following her disqualification from the Paris Olympic Games. In the 15-page notice, the WFI alleged that Vinesh's conduct had caused "lasting damage to reputation of Indian wrestling" in Paris and violated provisions of the WFI Constitution, UWW International Wrestling Rules and anti-doping regulations. Broad Charges ========= The federation has sought her explanation on ..

WFI bars Vinesh Phogat from events till June 2026 over rule violations
Updated On : 09 May 2026 | 6:49 PM IST

Big admission by Vinesh, names herself among victims in Brij Bhushan row

Vinesh stated that she had maintained silence earlier as the matter is sub judice, but felt compelled to clarify her position now

Big admission by Vinesh, names herself among victims in Brij Bhushan row
Updated On : 04 May 2026 | 5:39 PM IST

Vinesh Phogat comes out of retirement, eyes 2028 Los Angeles Olympics medal

Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday announced that she would be coming out of retirement to take another shot at an elusive Olympic medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games as the "the fire never left" her and was merely buried under "exhaustion and noise". The 31-year-old had walked away from the sport after the heartbreak of the Paris Games last year, where she was dramatically disqualified for being 100 grams over the permissible weight limit ahead of her 50kg category gold medal bout. She had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal, but the verdict remained unchanged, leading her to announce her retirement and join politics to be elected as an MLA from Haryana's Julana constituency. "People kept asking if Paris was the end. For a long time, I didn't have the answer. I needed to step away from the mat, from the pressure, from the expectations, even from my own ambitions. For the first time in years, I allowed myself to breathe," Vine

Vinesh Phogat comes out of retirement, eyes 2028 Los Angeles Olympics medal
Updated On : 13 Dec 2025 | 9:15 AM IST

HC dismisses petitions filed by Bajrang, Vinesh challenging WFI elections

The Delhi High Court has dismissed petitions filed by top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Satyawart Kadian challenging the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) December 2023 elections, after they failed to appear before the court on multiple dates. Back then Sanjay Singh had become the president beating Anita Sheoran, a candidate backed by the three Olympians. Justice Mini Pushkarna, hearing the matter on November 27, noted that none of the petitioners were present when the matters were taken up, and recorded that they had also remained absent for the previous two hearings. The petitioners do not seem to be interested in prosecuting the present matters, the court said in its order. The wrestlers had moved the High Court, alleging that the WFI elections were not conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Their plea sought intervention against what they claimed were procedural lapses and irregularities in the election process. With continuous non-appearan

HC dismisses petitions filed by Bajrang, Vinesh challenging WFI elections
Updated On : 02 Dec 2025 | 2:06 PM IST

From T20 WC triumph to Gukesh making history: Key events in sports in 2024

Trailblazing comebacks and teary goodbyes marked an eventful year

From T20 WC triumph to Gukesh making history: Key events in sports in 2024
Updated On : 30 Dec 2024 | 12:31 AM IST

Year in review: Top five moments which defined Paris Olympics 2024

India had a decent run at the 2024 Paris Olympics as they ended up with six medals under their belt

Year in review: Top five moments which defined Paris Olympics 2024
Updated On : 19 Dec 2024 | 3:42 PM IST

That's her personal opinion, I don't agree with that: Vinesh on Sakshi

Star wrestler and Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday disagreed with Sakshi Malik's view that her and Bajrang Punia's decision to accept exemption from the Asian Games trials last year undermined their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Olympic bronze-winning wrestler Sakshi, one of the three prominent faces of the prolonged protest against the former WFI chief, had claimed in her recent book that Vinesh and Bajrang's decision made their movement seem "selfish". "That is her personal opinion. I don't agree with that. Unless I am weak, the fight cannot be weak. This is my belief. Till the time Sakshi, Vinesh and Bajrang are alive, the fight cannot be weak," Vinesh told PTI Video. "Those who want to win should never be weak. They should always choose to fight on the field. For that you will have to be tough and face the obstacles. And we are ready for fight." In her recently-released book 'Witness', Sakshi said their protest developed cracks when "people close to" Bajrang a

That's her personal opinion, I don't agree with that: Vinesh on Sakshi
Updated On : 22 Oct 2024 | 6:47 PM IST

Babita wanted to be WFI chief, exploited wrestlers' protest: Sakshi Malik

Wrestler Sakshi Malik claims not Congress but two BJP leaders helped wrestlers secure permission to protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in Haryana

Babita wanted to be WFI chief, exploited wrestlers' protest: Sakshi Malik
Updated On : 22 Oct 2024 | 12:59 PM IST

Election results highlights: BJP govt will work even more for the welfare of the poor, says Modi

Jammu and Kashmir Election Results 2024: After the election victory of Congress-NC alliance, party chief Farooq Abdullah said that Omar Abdullah will be the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Election results highlights: BJP govt will work even more for the welfare of the poor, says Modi
Updated On : 08 Oct 2024 | 9:45 PM IST

'It was people's love': Vinesh Phogat after winning Julana seat

Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat on October 8 won her maiden election, defeating her nearest BJP rival Yogesh Kumar from Julana assembly seat in Haryana, according to the Election Commission.

Icon Youtube'It was people's love': Vinesh Phogat after winning Julana seat
Updated On : 08 Oct 2024 | 8:51 PM IST

Haryana polls: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat wins from Julana by over 6,000 votes

Vinesh Phogat joined Congress ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections and decided to contest from Julana. She faces BJP's Capt Yogesh Bairagi and AAP's Kavita Devi, also a wrestler

Haryana polls: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat wins from Julana by over 6,000 votes
Updated On : 08 Oct 2024 | 1:54 PM IST

Haryana election results: Top battleground constituencies to watch closely

Early trends in the vote counting for Haryana showed the Congress in a comfortable lead with the BJP trailing far behind

Haryana election results: Top battleground constituencies to watch closely
Updated On : 08 Oct 2024 | 9:40 AM IST

Recognise your power on 'day of change': Vinesh urges Haryana voters

Congress candidate and Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat urged people to recognise their power and exercise their franchise on Saturday in the Haryana assembly election, saying it is the day of change. Polling for all 90 assembly seats in Haryana began on Saturday morning amid tight security arrangements. Phogat is contesting from the Julana seat in Jind district on a Congress ticket. After casting her vote at Balali in Charkhi Dadri district, Phogat said, "People of Haryana have huge expectations from the Congress. Everyone should come and cast their votes." Replying to a query, she said unemployment, drugs and women's safety are some of the major issues facing the state. "We want to work in all areas in the coming five years. Today is the day of change, today is the day to awaken new hope. I appeal to the people of Haryana to come out of their homes and recognise their power," Phogat said. The Congress nominee also said that the people of Haryana are fed up with the 10-year rule of

Recognise your power on 'day of change': Vinesh urges Haryana voters
Updated On : 05 Oct 2024 | 7:19 PM IST

NADA serves whereabouts failure notice to Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on Wednesday served a notice to wrestler Vinesh Phogat for whereabouts failure and sought an explanation within 14 days. All the athletes registered with NADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP), of which Vinesh is a part, are required to provide details about their availability for dope tests. If they fill the details and are found not available on that location at that given time, it is considered a whereabouts failure. The NADA, in its notice, conveyed to the wrestler-turned-politician that she had apparently committed a whereabouts failure as she was not available for a dope test on September 9 at her house in Kharkhoda village in Sonepat. Vinesh had announced her retirement from the sport after her Paris Olympics campaign ended in heartbreak, where she made the final but was disqualified ahead of her gold-medal bout for being overweight. Vinesh and fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party recently and she is contesting the ...

NADA serves whereabouts failure notice to Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat
Updated On : 26 Sep 2024 | 9:22 AM IST

Vinesh was manipulated by Deepender, Bhupinder for gains: Mahavir Phogat

Mahavir Phogat also expressed concern over Vinesh's foray into politics, suggesting that it was not her intention to enter the political arena

Vinesh was manipulated by Deepender, Bhupinder for gains: Mahavir Phogat
Updated On : 20 Sep 2024 | 2:04 PM IST

Haryana polls: Hisar, Julana among 11 high-stake seats. Full list, details

The upcoming Haryana Assembly elections are generating significant anticipation, as the BJP and Congress prepare to contest across 90 seats. Polling is set for Oct 5, and results will be out on Oct 8

Haryana polls: Hisar, Julana among 11 high-stake seats. Full list, details
Updated On : 13 Sep 2024 | 5:31 PM IST

Haryana Assembly elections: Congress releases list of 40 star campaigners

Haryana Assembly polls: Olympian Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu among others are the star campaigners for the Congress party

Haryana Assembly elections: Congress releases list of 40 star campaigners
Updated On : 13 Sep 2024 | 4:38 PM IST