India, May 11 -- Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday strongly rejected calls to step away from the sport, asserting that she will not "take sanyas" from wrestling despite being declared ineligible by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Speaking to reporters in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, she alleged that officials in the Wrestling Federation of India wanted her to quit the sport, but said she would not "accept defeat" or give in to pressure.

"What do you expect me to do? Should I take sanyas and leave wrestling so their conspiracy succeeds?" she said, accusing WFI leadership of targeting her for speaking out.

Vinesh said she had been declared ineligible to participate in the National Open Ranking tournament amid ongoing disciplinary procee...