Wrestler Bajrang Punia Receives Four-Year Ban Due To Violation Of Code

NEW DELHI: Bajrang Punia, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, has been banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for failing to provide a urine sample during a doping test on March 10, 2024, at the national team selection trials.

The suspension was, on April 23, 2024, a provisional one that became final following the hearings conducted on September 20 and October 4. Bajrang's appeal managed to have the suspension lifted from May 31 to June 21, 2024

However, ADDP concluded that he violated Article 10.3.1 of the anti-doping rules. This means the ban will effectively mark the end of his competitive career and prevent him from pursuing the international coaching role.

He further said that his refusal to cooperate is not unconditional but rather on a condition that he wanted clarification from NADA regarding their use of testing kits in December 2023. According to him, since NADA did not revert to him, it simply meant that their procedures further eroded his trust in them. NADA argued that his refusal was intentional and reflected a disdain for his duties under the Anti-Doping Rules, 2021.

He also complained of unfair treatment, which he said was related to his activism against former Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Charan Singh.

Bajrang, who recently joined the Congress party, claimed that it was because of his position on issues in the sporting fraternity that made him a victim.

The suspension of Bajrang Punia brings an end to his competitive career, emphasizing the consequences of doping-related violations in sports.

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