After Paris Setback, Vinesh Phogat Makes Surprise U-Turn, Targets 2028 Olympics

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday, December 12, announced that she is coming out of retirement to revive her Olympic dream, marking a major comeback 18 months after the heartbreak of the Paris Games.

The 31-year-old had quit the sport following the controversy surrounding her disqualification ahead of the gold-medal bout, where she was ruled 100 grams over the weight limit despite having fought her way into the final. The disqualification denied Vinesh the chance to become the first Indian woman to compete in an Olympic wrestling final, ending what had been a remarkable run in Paris.

In an emotional Instagram post, Vinesh said she had spent the past year and a half reflecting on her journey — its triumphs, struggles and the toll of relentless expectations. “For the first time in years, I allowed myself to breathe,” she wrote. “Somewhere in that silence, I realised the fire never left. I still love this sport. I still want to compete.”

During her time away from wrestling, Vinesh won the Julana seat in the Haryana Assembly elections and, in July 2025, welcomed a baby boy with her husband, wrestler Somvir Rathee. She said her son will now be her “biggest motivation” as she works toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Vinesh’s Olympic history has been tumultuous. At Rio 2016, a knee injury forced her to withdraw from the quarterfinals. At Tokyo 2020, where she entered as world No. 1, she suffered a shock exit in the quarterfinals. In Paris, she defeated defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan, former European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine and Pan American champion Yusneylis Guzman to secure her place in the 50kg final — only to be disqualified hours before the title match.

The incident triggered nationwide outrage and raised questions about the management of her weight-cut process. Vinesh appealed the decision to United World Wrestling and later to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, alleging procedural lapses, but both appeals were rejected. The episode left her emotionally devastated, prompting her retirement announcement shortly after the Games.

Her return now marks a significant shift, signalling renewed determination after one of the most painful chapters in Indian sporting history. With LA28 in her sights, Vinesh says she is stepping back on the mat with “a heart unafraid and a spirit that refuses to bow.”