Vinesh Phogat gets doping notice over missed test

The International Testing Agency has issued a notice to wrestler and Haryana MLA Vinesh Phogat for missing an out-of-competition doping test in Bengaluru on December 18, 2025, putting her on warning under the whereabouts rule. Phogat has been asked to respond by May 7, and officials said this was her first whereabouts violation in the past year.

According to the notice issued on May 4, the test was scheduled as part of routine anti-doping checks conducted outside competition hours. Such tests are meant to ensure athletes are available at the location they have declared in advance under the anti-doping whereabouts system.

The ITA’s communication says Phogat was not available when testers reached the designated place. For now, she has only received a warning, but a series of three missed tests or filing failures within a 12-month period can lead to a suspension of up to two years.

Phogat has said she was travelling from Bengaluru to Chandigarh on December 18 to attend the winter session of the Haryana Assembly. She also cited new family responsibilities and the recent birth of her child, saying she could not update her location in time because of a busy schedule.

She submitted her reply on January 19, 2026, according to the details available.

The whereabouts rule requires athletes in the testing pool to keep anti-doping agencies informed about where they will be, so they can be contacted for random testing. If an athlete is not found at the declared location, it is treated as a violation even if no banned substance is found.

For wrestlers and other elite athletes, out-of-competition testing is a regular part of the anti-doping framework and can happen at any time.

Phogat’s latest notice comes against the backdrop of a difficult two years in her wrestling career. She last competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where she wrestled three bouts in the 505050 kg category on August 6 before being disqualified ahead of the final after weighing 100100100 grams over the limit.

She announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, 2024, but later reversed that decision on December 12, 2025, saying she wanted to target the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The development also follows Phogat’s latest remarks against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In a video posted on May 3, she said a Senior Open Ranking Wrestling Tournament is scheduled in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, from May 10 to 12, and expressed concern about competing in a place linked to the allegations she has made.

Phogat said her testimony in court is still underway and suggested it would be difficult for her to compete there with full focus. She added that if anything went wrong with any member of her team, the responsibility would lie with the Government of India.

The immediate focus now is on Phogat’s response to the ITA notice by May 7. While the first violation has brought only a warning, the matter could become more serious if additional whereabouts failures are recorded over the year. For now, the case sits at the intersection of sport, anti-doping compliance and Phogat’s active public and political profile.

Vinesh Phogat Ends 20-Month Hiatus with Return to Competitive Wrestling  

Wrestler set to compete in 57kg category at National Open Ranking Tournament after registration delay blamed on ‘technical issue’

Comeback Trail Begins in Gonda

Vinesh Phogat will step back onto the mat after nearly 20 months, marking her first competitive appearance since the Paris Olympics. The wrestler confirmed her registration for the National Open Ranking Tournament in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled in Gonda from May 10 to 12.

She will compete in the 57kg category, a shift from the 50kg weight class where she faced disqualification at the Paris Games last year.

Registration Delay Sparks Fresh Tension

The return, however, did not come without a glitch. On Tuesday morning, Vinesh posted on X saying her registration had been completed only after the link was closed the previous day. She thanked supporters but stopped short of naming anyone, though she had earlier alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was creating hurdles.

“My registration was completed this morning. I could not register yesterday because the link was closed. Thank you to everyone for your support,” she wrote.

WFI Cites Portal Glitch

Responding to the delay, WFI officials said a technical issue had affected multiple wrestlers’ entries, not just Vinesh’s. The federation claimed her registration was actually finalised on Monday night at 10:29 PM, while Vinesh’s social media post came on Tuesday morning.

“The portal faced a temporary glitch. Once the link became active, all pending entries were processed,” a federation source explained. The clarification did little to erase the underlying friction between the wrestler and the governing body, which has persisted since last year’s protests and elections.

Paris Heartbreak Still Fresh

Vinesh had entered the Paris Olympics 2024 as a strong medal contender in 50kg freestyle. She reached the final but was disqualified before the title bout after weighing in 100 grams over the limit. The disqualification, as per Olympic rules, left her without a medal.

Deeply affected, she announced her retirement on August 8. But by December 2024, she withdrew that decision, signalling her desire to compete again.

Eyes on Asian Games and LA 2028

Now 30, Vinesh is targeting the upcoming Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Gonda tournament will serve as her first test of match fitness and mental readiness.

Off the mat, she has also taken on a political role, having been elected as an MLA from the Congress party in the Haryana Assembly elections held in late 2024. Balancing both arenas will be a new challenge.

Ground Realities in Gonda

Local authorities in Gonda expect heightened security and media attention during the May 10-12 event. For wrestling fans in Uttar Pradesh’s hinterland, Vinesh’s presence is a rare opportunity to watch an Olympic-level athlete up close.

“We are preparing for large crowds, especially on the days she competes,” a district sports officer said.

The tournament will also feature other national-level wrestlers, but Vinesh remains the headline act. Her performance here could determine how quickly she regains selection for international events later this year.