Vinesh Phogat Ends Retirement, Targets 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her return to competitive wrestling, setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) . The 31-year-old had retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics , following a dramatic disqualification for being 100 grams over the 50kg weight limit in her gold medal bout.

Vinesh had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) , seeking a joint silver medal , but the appeal was rejected , with CAS upholding the Olympic rules. The setback, coupled with mounting pressure, expectations, and personal reflection, led her to step away from the sport and enter politics. She was subsequently elected MLA from Julana, Haryana .

Reflecting on her journey, Vinesh said, “For a long time, I didn’t have the answer. I needed to step away—from the mat, from the pressure, from the expectations, even from my own ambitions. For the first time in years, I allowed myself to breathe.” She added that during this period of reflection, she realized that her love for wrestling had never left. “The fire never left. It was only buried under exhaustion and noise. The discipline, the routine, the fight… it’s in my system,” she said.

Vinesh also shared that she and her husband, Somvir Rathee , welcomed a baby boy in July 2025 , who she describes as her biggest motivation and cheerleader as she resumes her wrestling career. “This time, I’m not walking alone. My son is joining my team on this road to the LA Olympics,” she said.

A three-time Olympian , Vinesh has already made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic gold medal bout . She has also won gold medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games , establishing herself as one of India’s most accomplished wrestlers.

With renewed determination and the support of her family, Vinesh has resumed training and aims to reclaim her place on the world stage. Her comeback is widely seen as a significant boost for Indian wrestling, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue Olympic dreams despite setbacks.