Vinesh Phogat Announces Wrestling Comeback for LA 2028
Why in the news
Vinesh Phogat announced a return to competitive wrestling on 12 December 2025, ending an 18-month hiatus and setting her sights on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Key facts
- Target event: Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
- Weight class: women’s 50 kg freestyle.
- Hiatus before the comeback: about 18 months.
- At Paris 2024 she was disqualified from the gold medal final for exceeding the weight limit; her opponent was to be American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.
- She is 30 and credits her son as her biggest motivation.
- She said the break gave her distance from pressure and time for emotional recovery.
| Event | Medal |
|---|---|
| Asian Games 2018 | Gold |
| Commonwealth Games | Three golds |
| World Championships | Two bronzes |
About the athlete
Phogat is one of India’s leading women wrestlers, known for her Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medals. The Paris 2024 disqualification was widely described as one of the most painful moments of her career.
Exam angle
- Sports persons in news: note the 50 kg category and the LA 2028 target.
- Link Paris 2024 disqualification to the weight-limit rule.
- Medal tallies are a favourite factual question.