NADA suspends Bajrang Punia for four years for doping violations.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspended Bajrang Punia. For four years on Tuesday after he refused to submit a sample for a doping test. During the national team selection trials on March 10.

NADA initially suspended Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia on April 23 for the violation. Leading to his suspension by the global governing body, UWW.

puniya appealed the provisional suspension. And NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) lifted it on May 31.Pending the issuance of a notice of charge by NADA.

Bajrang Challenge to the Charge and Subsequent Hearings

Bajrang, who join the Congress party alongside wrestler Vinesh Phogat and was appoint to lead the All India Kisan Congress. Contested the charge in a written submission on July 11. With hearings subsequently held on September 20 and October 4.

“The Panel concludes that the athlete is subject to sanctions under Article 10.3.1. And is declare ineligible for a period of four years,” stated the ADDP in its ruling.

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The suspension bars Bajrang from returning to competitive wrestling or pursuing a coaching career overseas, should he wish to.

“In this case, as the athlete was provisionally suspend. The Panel determines that the four-year ineligibility period will begin from the notification date, April 23, 2024,” the order stated.

“The period from May 31, 2024, to June 21, 2024, during which the provisional suspension was lift. Will not be count toward the total four-year ineligibility period,” the statement clarified.

Bajrang has consistently argued that he was treat unfairly and prejudicially in the doping control process due to his involvement in the protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Bajrang also state that he never refuse to provide a sample but merely requested a response from NADA regarding his email, in which he question why expire kits were sent to collect his samples in December 2023.

NADA clarifie its action. Stating that the Chaperone/DCO had properly approached Bajrang and informe him that he was required to provide a urine sample for doping analysis.

In his written submission, Bajrang stated that NADA’s conduct in two prior instances had led to mistrust, particularly because NADA failed to acknowledge or respond to their careless handling of the doping control process. He argued that their failure to take responsibility for their actions left him morally compelled to take a stand, as a senior athlete with a voice in the sports community.

Bajrang also stated, “It was not a complete refusal. The athlete was always willing to provide his sample, but only after receiving a response from NADA regarding the use of expired kits.”

However, NADA asserted that “the athlete’s outright refusal to provide a urine sample for the doping test was intentional and deliberate,” adding that “the athlete has shown complete disregard for his duties and responsibilities under Articles 20.1 and 20.2 of the Anti-Doping Rules, 2021.”

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