Bajrang Punia suspended for four years by National Anti-Doping Agency due to violation of code

Bajrang Punia faces four-year suspension for refusing dope test

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has imposed a four-year suspension on Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia for refusing to provide a urine sample during a dope test on March 10, 2024, at the national team selection trials. This decision follows an earlier provisional suspension issued by NADA on April 23, which was subsequently upheld by the World Wrestling Federation (UWW).

Punia, who had initially appealed the suspension, saw his provisional suspension lifted in May by NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP), but the panel issued a final ruling on Tuesday, confirming the four-year ban. The suspension effectively means Bajrang Punia will be ineligible to participate in competitive wrestling or apply for coaching positions abroad for the duration of the ban.

The case stems from an incident at the March selection trials, where Punia allegedly refused to provide a sample for doping control. NADA maintains that Punia’s refusal was intentional and deliberate, claiming that the wrestler showed “utter disregard” for his responsibilities under the Anti-Doping Rules. NADA’s statement emphasized that the chaperone and doping control officer (DCO) had properly approached Punia and informed him of the requirement to provide a urine sample.

However, Punia contends that his refusal was not outright; instead, he was seeking clarification from NADA regarding the use of expired kits for sample collection. He argued that his concerns were not addressed, and he felt unfairly treated due to his involvement in protests against the former President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The legal process saw multiple hearings, with Punia submitting a written defence on July 11, challenging the charges. He argued that previous instances involving NADA’s handling of doping control had created mistrust in the system. Punia claimed that these experiences contributed to his reluctance to comply with the test, especially in light of the failure to acknowledge or respond to his concerns about expired kits in December 2023.

Despite Punia’s defence, the ADDP concluded that his actions violated the rules and imposed the suspension, which will officially start from April 23, 2024, the date of the initial notification. Notably, the period between May 31, 2024, and June 21, 2024, when the provisional suspension was lifted, will not be credited toward the four-year ban.

This suspension is a significant setback for Bajrang Punia, who has been a prominent figure in Indian wrestling. His involvement in the protests and subsequent doping controversy has cast a shadow over his career, with the wrestler’s actions now facing scrutiny from the national and international sports community.

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