Vinesh Phogat reverses retirement, targets LA Olympics after 18-month break

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced a surprise return to competitive sport, reversing her retirement decision and declaring that she will aim for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Her announcement comes 18 months after she quit wrestling in the aftermath of a dramatic disqualification at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Phogat had retired on August 8, 2024, after she was disqualified from the 50 kg freestyle final for being overweight on the day of her gold medal bout. She had reached the final after a dominant 5-0 win over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez and was set to face Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States before the last-minute setback ended her medal hopes.

In a post on X on Friday, Phogat said she needed time away from pressure and expectations to understand her journey. She wrote that stepping back helped her realise she still loves the sport and still wants to compete, adding that “the fire never left” and that her return is driven by renewed clarity and purpose.

The wrestler also said she will now compete as a mother. Phogat, who is married to wrestler Somvir Rathee, gave birth to a baby boy in July 2025. She said her son will be her biggest motivation as she prepares for a comeback.

Phogat is among India’s most accomplished wrestlers. She has won two World Championships bronze medals, gold at the 2018 Asian Games, bronze at the 2014 Asian Games, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals. She also won gold at the 2021 Asian Championships, along with several other continental medals.