Vinesh Phogat wrestles to return to the mat

Whatever eventually happens to decorated wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s bid to stage a comeback after embracing motherhood, her decision is being applauded by some of India’s most respected coaches.

At 31, the 50kg finalist at the 2024 Olympic Games is attempting to become the first Indian woman wrestler to return to international competition after becoming a mother. The 2018 Asian Games gold medallist’s first major target would be the Asian Games in Japan in September, though she will have to overcome a few off-field hurdles to represent India again.

Vinesh gave birth to a baby boy in July 2025 and, a few months later, announced that she would return to the sport. A member of the Haryana Assembly, she prepared to resume competitive wrestling at the Senior Open Ranking Tournament at Nandini Nagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda — the home turf of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), whom she has accused of sexual harassment.

However, the WFI did not allow her to compete in a new weight category (57kg) and instead issued her a notice listing several allegations.

Vinesh, a triple Commonwealth Games gold winner, said she would respond to the notice after consulting her legal team.

Return after motherhood

Whatever the outcome of Vinesh’s dispute with the WFI and its office-bearers, two renowned coaches have praised her decision to attempt a comeback after becoming a mother, following the path of compatriot and six-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom.

Chief national women’s coach Virender Dahiya and his predecessor Piara Ram Sondhi lauded Vinesh’s decision even to consider a return after motherhood.

“That Vinesh thought of staging a comeback in itself is a big thing. Although there are a few examples globally — a 53kg Azerbaijan wrestler and an American 76kg wrestler who gave birth to twins and later won international medals come to mind — no Indian has so far returned to international wrestling after motherhood. At the national level, however, there have been a couple of female wrestlers who made comebacks after becoming mothers,” Dahiya told Patriot.

Sondhi pointed to Vinesh’s courage

“Thirty-one is not too old an age. And, importantly, at this age, to have the courage is a big thing. She has a big heart. If she wants to stage a comeback, let her do it. After all, no one competes to lose and feel embarrassed. It was unfortunate that Vinesh could not win a medal despite reaching an Olympic final (Paris 2024). It was India’s bad luck,” the former chief coach told Patriot.

Sondhi was referring to Vinesh missing a potential gold medal in the 50kg freestyle category at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after being found 100 g overweight. She reportedly tried several measures, including cutting her hair, but failed to meet the eligibility requirement.

After the Olympics, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling. She later entered politics and became a member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly in October 2024, capitalising on her popularity. She became a mother in July 2025 and has since regained fitness in her attempt to return to the sport.

WFI notice

Dahiya refrained from commenting on the ongoing dispute between Vinesh and the WFI.

“There’s no doubt that Vinesh has been India’s top wrestler and has won many international medals. But every wrestler has to follow the rules of the WFI, the National Anti-Doping Agency, and the United World Wrestling. However, I don’t know anything about the current issue. I have been chief women’s coach for three years, but I have not seen a single step by the WFI that can be termed anti-wrestler,” he said.

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Sondhi, however, defended the triple Olympian strongly.

“Every wrestler has to pay Rs 1,000 as an entry fee at the ongoing Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, besides making their own boarding and lodging arrangements. That’s very bad. In contrast, wrestlers who compete in mud akharas earn lakhs — up to Rs 40 lakh,” he claimed.