CHENNAI: Two-time World Championships bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat is set for her first bout in 20 months since the big setback at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 31-year-old wrestler from Haryana, however, created a stir days before her participation saying she could not complete her online registration on Monday for the open ranking tournament scheduled in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (Uttar Pradesh) from May 10 to 12.
Vinesh, who was disqualified from the 50kg final at the Paris Games for being overweight, later clarified that she managed to complete the formalities on Tuesday morning, registering to compete in the 57kg category.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), meanwhile, said the last date for registration is April 30 and technical glitch might have prevented Vinesh from registering herself online. The federation also claimed that the wrestler got registered for the competition at 10:29pm on Monday night contrary to her claim that she did it on Tuesday.
"My registration to participate in the upcoming ranking tournament was done this morning. I could not complete the registration yesterday as the link was closed. Thank you for the support from everyone. I am looking forward to competing in my first competition after 20 months," Vinesh posted on her X account.
Sanjay Kumar Singh, the WFI president, speaking on the statement made by Vinesh said she should instead focus on her preparations for the tournament. "The event is open for all wrestlers across the country and the WFI will never stop anybody from participating in it. Her (Vinesh's) registration process got completed on Monday itself, which makes it clear that she was making a false statement. She should instead focus on her preparations rather than making such statements," Sanjay Kumar told this daily.
"Besides, if she was facing an issue, she could have visited the WFI office in person or send someone else on her behalf. She could have paid the fee and completed the process there also," added the WFI president.
The tournament will begin with competitions in the men's freestyle wrestling followed by the women's event the next day. The three-day event will conclude with bouts in men's Greco-Roman style. Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling after the Paris heartbreak only to return to the sport. In the meantime, she also contested in the Haryana Assembly elections on a ticket from Indian National Congress and won the seat.
With Vinesh throwing her hat, the competition is expected to grab more eyeballs. The venue also adds layer to it as it's the birthplace of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh against whom Vinesh and other wrestlers launched a protest accusing the former of sexual harassment. The matter is in court.