New Delhi: Vinesh Phogat has confirmed her participation in the upcoming national ranking tournament in Gonda, bringing clarity to recent confusion surrounding her entry amid an ongoing dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India.
The wrestler had earlier alleged that she was being prevented from registering for the competition. However, officials from the federation maintained that technical issues with the online portal had affected multiple athletes, delaying the process for several participants.
Phogat stated that she was able to complete her registration only after the link became accessible again. According to her, the process was finalised on Tuesday morning, allowing her to confirm her participation in the event. Meanwhile, federation records indicate that her entry had been processed late Monday night.
The tournament, scheduled from May 10 to 12, will see Phogat compete in the 57 kg category. It marks her return to competitive wrestling after a gap of nearly 20 months, making it a significant moment in her career.
Her last major appearance ended in disappointment at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit. Following that setback, she had briefly announced her retirement before deciding to make a comeback with future international events in mind, including the Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics.
During her time away from the mat, Phogat also entered public life and was elected as a legislator in Haryana. Her return to competition now signals a renewed focus on wrestling, with expectations high as she prepares to step back onto the national stage.
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