Bajrang Punia was suspended for four years by NADA on March 10 for refusing to submit his sample for dope test. Bajrang alleged that he was sent an expired kit. They said that this action was taken due to their protests.
India’s famous wrestler and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for four years. The reason for the suspension is said to be Bajrang Punia’s refusal to provide his sample for dope test during the national team selection trials on March 10.
NADA has taken this decision due to violation of anti-doping rules. However, Bajrang had appealed against it. He also got relief from temporary suspension for some time.
Refusal to give sample in dope test
Bajrang Punia refused to give his sample for dope test because he wanted NADA to clarify on expired kits. Bajrang had alleged that an expired kit was sent to him as a doping kit. He first wanted a response from NADA on this. Bajrang also said that he had not completely refused, but his aim was only to know why the expired kit was sent.
However, NADA termed it as deliberate denial. NADA said that Bajrang had completely refused to give his urine sample in the dope test. His action was a violation of anti-doping rules. According to NADA, this type of behavior shows irresponsible behavior on the part of the athlete.
suspension of united world wrestling
NADA had earlier temporarily suspended Bajrang Punia on April 23. After this, a formal notice was issued to him on June 23. World governing body United World Wrestling (UWW) had also suspended Bajrang for this reason. Bajrang had appealed against the temporary suspension. On May 31, NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) had suspended it until NADA issues a notice of charges.
Bajrang, in his written report, had challenged the allegation and called it completely unfair. He also said that this action against him was due to the protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. According to Bajrang, he was treated in a biased and unfair manner with regard to doping control.