Wrestler Bajrang Punia faces 4-year suspension for violating anti-doping code

PTC News Desk: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has suspended Bajrang Punia for 4 years violating anti-doping code. Reportedly Punia refused to provide urine sample during the selection trials for the national team. He was handed over a provisional suspension this year in April.

The suspension stems from a violation of Article 10.3.1 of NADA’s Anti-Doping Rules.

Punia, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist was initially slapped with provisional suspension on April 23, 2024. Following which, the World Wrestling Governing Body (UWW) also suspended Bajrang.

The suspension also disqualifies Bajrang from competing in wrestling and potentially pursuing international coaching roles during this period. The ADDP clarified, “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 justified his refusal owing to the lack of transparency in NADA's process.  He cited instances where expired testing kits were provided, claiming, “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.”

However,  NADA has claimed that the refusal was athlete's deliberate action citing, “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."