The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issued a four-year suspension to wrestler Bajrang Punia on Tuesday for declining to submit a sample during national team selection trials on March 10. Following NADA‘s initial suspension on April 23, the sport’s world governing body, UWW, also imposed sanctions on the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist.
After Bajrang contested the provisional suspension, NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) temporarily lifted it on May 31, pending the issuance of a formal notice of charge.
“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,” the ADDP said in its order.
Bajrang, who recently joined Congress alongside fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat and assumed leadership of All India Kisan Congress, had submitted a written challenge to the charges on July 11. This was followed by hearings conducted on September 20 and October 4.
“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 order read. “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.”
Bajrang has consistently stated that he received discriminatory and unjust treatment during doping control procedures, attributing this to his participation in protests against former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
He clarified that he never declined to provide a sample, but rather sought clarification from NADA regarding their use of expired testing kits during his December 2023 sample collection.
“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.”
NADA defended its position by stating that their Chaperone/DCO had properly approached Bajrang and informed him about the requirement to provide a urine sample for doping analysis.
“The Athlete has demonstrated utter disregard towards his duties and responsibilities as per Articles 20.1 & 20.2 of the Anti Doping Rules, 2021,” NADA had said in its response.
