NEW DELHI: Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia was on Tuesday banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for the wrestler's refusal to give his urine sample for dope testing. NADA had first suspended Bajrang on April 23 for the offence following which, the United World Wrestling (UWW) - the sport's global governing body - had also sanctioned him.
The four-time World Championships medallist was told to give his sample during the selection trials for the national team held in Sonepat on March 10.
"In the present case, since the athlete had been provisionally suspended, the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) accordingly holds that the athlete's period of his ineligibility for the period of four years shall commence from the date on which the notification was sent, i.e., 23.04.2024. Needless to say, that on account of the lifting of the provisional suspension for the period from 31.05.2024 to 21.06.2024 shall not be credited into the total period of ineligibility of four years," the order said.
A copy of the ADDP's order is exclusively in possession of TOI. The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling until 22.04.2028, which effectively means an end of his illustrious career. He still has the option of challenging the ban before the NADA's Anti-Doping Appeals Panel (ADAP).
The order further stated that "the outright refusal by the athlete to provide a urine sample for the dope test was intentional and deliberate and that the athlete has demonstrated utter disregard towards his duties and responsibilities as per Articles 20.1 & 20.2 of the anti-doping rules, 2021. The panel holds that the athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of four years."
