National Anti-Doping Agency bans wrestler Bajrang Punia for four years

Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has been banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for allegedly refusing to provide his sample for a dope test on March 10 during selection trials for the national team. The ban means Punia, 30, cannot return to competitive wrestling and apply for a coaching job abroad if he aspires to.

NADA had first suspended Punia on April 23 for the same offence. He appealed against the provisional suspension, and NADA's Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) revoked it on May 31 till NADA issued a notice. That notice was served on June 23.

Bajrang repeatedly said he was treated prejudicially and unfairly regarding doping control following his involvement in the famous 'wrestlers protests' against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Punia has maintained that he never refused to give a sample but only demanded NADA's response to his email asking why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023. NADA explained that it had sent a DCO asking for his urine sample for dope analysis purposes.

Punia made a written submission in which he said the conduct of NADA in two previous instances created mistrust in his mind. Punia had said he was morally bound to take a firm position as a senior athlete who has a voice in the sporting community.

NADA has claimed that Punia 'outright' refused to provide the sample, but the wrestler has claimed that "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".

Punia is now a member of the Congress, the major party in the INDIA bloc, the opposition to Centre-ruling BJP. He joined the opposition party with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Punia is the Working President of the All India Kisan Congress.