Tokyo Olympics medalist Bajrang Punia was on Sunday provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) over his failure to provide dope sample. (More Sports News)
As per the reports, Punia refused to provide the sample after he lost to Rohit Kumar in his Olympic trial bout in Sonipat earlier this year.
"With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia has been immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter," read an official release from NADA dated April 23.
The wrestler who has been at the forefront of the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh reportedly left the Sports Authority of India centre in Sonipat right after losing his match and did not stay for sample collection.
The wrestler meanwhile also posted a video where he said he never refused to get tested but only asked NADA officials to come up with kits that were not expired. Punia also said that his Vidush Singhania will reply to the authority's letter.
The NADA decision comes ahead of the Olympic selection trials and could be a big blow for Punia's hopes for the summer games. No wrestler has earned a quota for India in 65 kg category so far.
If Bajrang fails to come out clean with his reply, he will be out of the race for Paris Olympic Qualification.
Meanwhile WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed his surprise that NADA did not inform them about the suspension.
"It's really surprising that NADA did not keep us in loop while suspending Bajrang. I had a meeting with NADA DG and other officials on April 25 and this matter was not raised in that meeting," Sanjay told PTI.
The World Qualifiers in Turkey from May 9 is the last chance for Indian wrestlers to lock quotas for the Summer Olympics.
(With PTI Inputs)
