In a major move, Olympic bronze winner Bajrang Punia was suspended for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for breaking the anti-doping rules. His reluctance to submit a urine sample for a drug test during the national wrestling team's selection trials on March 10, 2024, led to his suspension.
Bajrang Punia is no longer eligible to compete in professional wrestling or instruct overseas as a result of this ruling. This ruling goes beyond NADA's original temporary suspension in April 2024.
Four Year Suspension
NADA declared on November 27 that Punia would be suspended for four years, beginning on April 23, 2024, for violating the Anti-Doping Rules by refusing to cooperate with the doping check process.
Why Did Punia Get Suspended
Punia was first suspended by NADA on April 23, 2024, for failing to provide a sample for doping tests. This was followed by a suspension from United World Wrestling (UWW).
Punia challenged the provisional suspension, and NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) temporarily lifted it on May 31, 2024. However, after several hearings and issuing a formal charge notice on June 23, 2024, the suspension was reinstated.
Punia’s Reaction to NADA’s Doping Test
The wrestler claimed he did not outright refuse the doping test. Instead, he sought clarification from NADA about using expired testing kits, citing past concerns with the agency. Punia argued that his actions were not an intentional refusal but a call for accountability and transparency.
However, NADA dismissed Punia’s defense. It stated that his actions demonstrated clear disregard for his responsibilities. NADA referred to Articles 20.1 and 20.2 of the Anti-Doping Rules, which govern athlete conduct.
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