In a jolt to Indian wrestlers’ campaign in the Tokyo Olympics, 125kg freestyle wrestler Sumit Malik has tested positive for banned substance methylhexaneamine (MHA).
According to a Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) official, United World Wrestling (UWW) in its communication on Thursday night said Malik had been provisionally suspended for the doping violation.
As per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list, MHA is prohibited in competition only as a specified stimulant.
The WADA Code says “when an Adverse Analytical Finding is received for a prohibited substance or a prohibited method, other than a specified substance, a provisional suspension shall be imposed promptly…”
“The UWW has said that Sumit’s ‘A’ sample returned positive. His ‘B’ sample is expected to be tested around June 10,” said a WFI official on Friday.
Malik was tested during the World Olympic qualifier in Sofia last month.
The WFI official said if Malik was held responsible for the doping violation (during the hearing process), then India would lose the Olympic quota place earned by him.
Altogether eight Indian wrestlers, four each in men and women’s freestyle, have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
Four years ago, prior to the Rio Olympics, 74kg wrestler Narsingh Yadav had failed a dope test in controversial circumstances and was withdrawn from the Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport handed the Indian wrestler a four-year suspension.
