Vinesh Phogat Announces Comeback, Targets 2028 LA Olympics After Retirement Break

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has officially reversed her retirement decision and confirmed that she will return to competitive wrestling to pursue her long-held dream of winning an Olympic medal. The 31-year-old announced her comeback on December 12, marking a new beginning after an emotional and turbulent phase following the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Vinesh had stepped away from the sport after a heartbreaking end to her Paris campaign, where she made history by reaching the Olympic wrestling final—something no Indian woman had achieved before. However, she was disqualified on the morning of the gold-medal match for being 100 grams over the weight limit, a moment that stunned the sporting world and left her devastated. The controversy and emotional strain that followed pushed her into retirement.

In a deeply personal Instagram post, Vinesh revealed that her 18-month break allowed her to reflect on the highs, lows, and pressures of her sporting journey. She said stepping away from the mat helped her rediscover her passion.

“I took time to understand the weight of my journey—the highs, the heartbreaks, the sacrifices, the versions of me the world never saw,” she wrote. “Somewhere in that reflection, I found the truth: I still love this sport. The fire never left.”

Vinesh emphasised that despite the exhaustion, she always felt connected to the mat and now feels ready to aim for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) with renewed purpose.

The wrestler also noted that her return will be special, as she will be accompanied by her biggest new motivation—her baby boy. Vinesh and her husband, wrestler Somvir Rathee, welcomed their son in July 2025. She said the child will be her “little cheerleader” in her sporting second innings.

Vinesh, who also made headlines by contesting and winning the Julana seat in the Haryana Assembly elections, will now join the list of top Indian athletes who returned to elite sport after childbirth.

Her announcement has sparked widespread support across the Indian sporting fraternity, with many calling her comeback a moment of renewed hope for Indian wrestling. Further details about her training schedule and competitive roadmap are expected to be announced soon.