On May 12, 2026, Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik expressed her support for wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is facing challenges from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) regarding her return to competition after becoming a mother. The WFI has deemed Vinesh ineligible to compete due to a mandatory six-month notice period required for athletes returning from retirement, citing anti-doping regulations. Despite this, Vinesh, who has a 10-month-old son, attended the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda to assert her determination to return. Malik criticized the WFI's stance, pointing out that many countries are easing restrictions to support female athletes in resuming their careers post-motherhood. She urged Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandavia, to intervene and allow Vinesh to compete, emphasizing the importance of her role as a role model for women athletes. Vinesh had previously retired after being disqualified from the finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a weight issue and later entered politics, winning a seat in the Julana constituency.