New Delhi, : In a dramatic twist that electrified Indian sports, Vinesh Phogat announced her official return to wrestling, ending a 15-month retirement sparked by her heartbreaking 100g weight disqualification at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 32-year-old champion revealed her comeback through an emotional Instagram video, declaring: “The fire never left.”
Phogat confirmed she will compete in the 53kg weight category, setting her sights firmly on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, a goal that instantly trended as #VineshReturns, garnering more than 5 million views on X.
Training, Coaching, and Roadmap to LA 2028
As part of her comeback strategy, Phogat will train at the JSW Academy in Goa, working under celebrated coach Woller Akos. Her program emphasizes mental resilience, a key area she has focused on following her Supreme Court petition seeking a Paris bronze medal—later rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
A Career Marked by Triumphs and Turmoil
Phogat, one of India’s most decorated wrestlers, boasts:
7 Asian Championship gold medals
2018 Commonwealth Games gold
Multiple World Championship podium finishes
Her retirement came amid emotional strain from her activism, including leading the 2023 protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who continues to face POCSO charges.
Support Pours In From India’s Wrestling Fraternity
Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia hailed her return as a “victory for Indian wrestling,” calling it a morale boost ahead of the 2026 Asian Games preparations. Her comeback is expected to inspire the next generation of athletes, with sports ministries estimating it could motivate over 10 million young wrestlers and women athletes nationwide.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite surging public enthusiasm, Phogat faces a demanding path:
Mandatory NADA doping compliance
Internal federation politics, still turbulent after WFI controversies
Rigorous qualification standards for LA 2028
Sports analysts believe her return could reshape India’s wrestling narrative, transforming personal adversity into national resurgence.
A Symbol of Courage and Women’s Empowerment
For millions, Vinesh Phogat’s comeback embodies resilience, justice, and the fight for women’s rights in Indian sports. As she begins her journey toward Los Angeles, fans hope this new chapter leads her to the Olympic podium she narrowly missed in Paris.
