Vinesh Phogat faces whereabouts failure notice; ITA warns of possible sanctions

New Delhi: Less than a week away from her much-anticipated return to competitive wrestling, Vinesh Fugat She received a formal warning from the International Testing Agency (ITA) for missing an out-of-competition doping test. This was her first “whereabouts failure” in 12 months.The development comes as the two-time world championship medalist and three-time Olympian prepares to compete in the senior open ranking event in Gonda from May 10 to 12, her first competition since the Paris Olympics and nearly 20 months after her comeback. The event, which will be held at the political stronghold of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brigitte Bhushan Sharan Singh, is expected to be an important gateway for wrestlers to enter the national training camp and participate in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials.

According to a notification issued by the ITA, the missed test took place in Bengaluru on December 18, 2025, when the Doping Control Officer (DCO) was unable to locate Vinesh within the designated one-hour testing window. Athletes listed in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) must provide 60 minutes per day during which they must be available for unannounced testing. Otherwise, the whereabouts may fail.Vinesh was initially informed of his absence from the exam on January 5, 2026, and later gave an explanation on January 19. She said she was attending the first winter session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly and traveling from Bengaluru to Chandigarh on the day of the exam, disrupting her daily routine. She also cited personal responsibilities following the recent birth of her child.However, the ITA considered her explanation insufficient. In its official notification, the anti-doping agency stressed that while it recognized her commitment as an elected representative, the responsibility for maintaining contact and updating her whereabouts rested solely with the athlete. The ITA noted that Vinesh had multiple avenues (such as text messages, emails or mobile apps) to update her location but failed.“The obligation is to remain available and accessible at designated locations without prior notice. The ITA found that you were unable to determine whether your negligent conduct caused or resulted in your failure to update your whereabouts profile and make it available for testing. Therefore, the ITA decided to document this missed test. Based on the information we have, this will be the first time in the past 12 months that your movements have not been recorded. ” reads the ITA’s notification, a copy of which is attached with TOI.The ITA has granted Vinesh seven days to request an administrative review of the decision. The notice was issued on May 4.According to rules set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and World Wrestling (UWW), three failed attempts within a 12-month period constitute an anti-doping rule violation and will result in a ban of up to two years. This is Vinesh’s first such failure since his comeback from retirement in December 2025.The Lausanne-based ITA manages the anti-doping programs of International Federations (IFs) and Major Event Organizers (MEOs). It works closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure compliance with the WADA Code and its associated standards.The warning does not constitute a doping violation and will not affect her participation in the Gonda Championships. However, the timing of this announcement adds a layer of intrigue ahead of Vinesh’s comeback. She will compete in the 57kg category of the ranking event and is expected to face stiff competition in the new weight class.Earlier on Sunday, Vinesh sensationally revealed that she was one of the six female wrestlers to accuse Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment. She also raised concerns over the fairness and venue of the contest, claiming it was being held at the bastion of Brigitte Bhushan and institutions associated with him.