Bajrang Punia Handed 4-Year Suspension by NADA For Doping Rule Violation

Bajrang Punia has been handed a four-year suspension by NADA, barring him from professional competition and applying for coaching roles overseas.

Bajrang Punia Suspended: The four-year suspension not only bars Bajrang Punia from competing in wrestling but also prevents him from taking up international coaching roles.

Source : PTI

Bajrang Punia, veteran India wrestler who won a Bronze at Tokyo Olympics 2020, has been handed a four-year suspension by NADA, barring him from professional competition and applying for coaching roles overseas. The suspension, effective from April 23, follows his provisional suspension for failing to provide a sample for a doping test. The suspension cites a breach of Article 10.3.1 of NADA's Anti-Doping Rules.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issued the suspension after Bajrang refused to provide a urine sample during a doping test on March 10 at the national team selection trials. A provisional suspension was initially issued on April 23 for the same violation, which later led to an additional suspension by the World Wrestling Governing Body (UWW).

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In addition to barring him from competing in wrestling, the four-year suspension also disqualifies Bajrang Punia from pursuing any international coaching roles during this period.

Bajrang successfully appealed against the provisional suspension, leading to its revocation by NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) on May 31, 2024, pending a formal notice of charge. NADA issued the formal notice on June 23, 2024. After reviewing written submissions and conducting hearings on September 20 and October 4, the ADDP ruled to impose a four-year suspension, effective from April 23, 2024.

Bajrang contended that his refusal to provide a sample was not intentional but stemmed from a lack of confidence in NADA's procedures. He highlighted instances of expired testing kits being used, stating, “It was not an outright refusal per se. The athlete was always willing to provide his sample provided that he first received a response from NADA concerning the use of expired kits.”

Bajrang Showed 'Disregard For Anti-Doping Responsibilities': NADA

NADA, however, asserted that Bajrang's refusal to provide a urine sample was intentional and violated Articles 20.1 and 20.2 of its 2021 rules, reflecting a disregard for anti-doping responsibilities.

“The outright refusal by the athlete to provide a urine sample for the dope test was intentional and deliberate and demonstrated disregard for anti-doping responsibilities outlined in Articles 20.1 and 20.2 of its 2021 rules,” said NADA.

"The Panel holds that the Athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of 4 years," the ADDP said in its order.

"In the present case, since the Athlete had been provisionally suspended, the Panel accordingly holds that the Athlete’s period of his ineligibility for the period of 4 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."