NADA (National Anti Doping Agency) has taken strict action against India’s star wrestler Bajrang Punia. NADA has banned him for 4 years. The reason for the ban is anti-doping code violation, it is believed that his career as a player is over.
Bajrang Punia joins Congress with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat
On 26 November, NADA banned Bajrang Punia for four years for refusing to submit his sample for dope test on 10 March during the selection trials for the national team. Earlier, NADA had first banned the wrestler who won the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics on April 23, after which it had banned the world-class wrestling org.zation UWW (United World Wrestling).
Bajrang appealed against the ban and it was overturned by NADA’s Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) on 31 May, until NADA issued a notice of charges. After this, NADA issued a notice to the wrestler on June 23.
World class wrestling org.zation UWW (United World Wrestling) also banned him
Bajrang Punia joined Congress along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, where he was given the responsibility of All India Kisan Congress. He challenged the charge in writing on 11 July, followed by hearings on 20 September and 4 October.
Now Bajrang Punia will not be able to give coaching
With regard to Bajrang Punia, the ADDP said in its order – The Panel is of the view that the athlete is liable to sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and is hereby declared ineligible for a period of 4 years. The ban means Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling and will not be able to apply for coaching jobs abroad if he wishes. The panel said that the 4-year ban on Bajrang will be effective from 23.04.2024.
I was banned because of Brij Bhushan: Bajrang
Bajrang has since said that he has been treated extremely biased and unfairly in relation to doping control due to his involvement in the protests against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Bajrang also said that he never refused to give the sample but had only sought a response from NADA on his email in which he had sought answers as to why an expired kit was sent to collect his sample in December 2023. Later NADA also explained the reason behind this. Explaining the action, he said that the Conservator/DCO had contacted him in the appropriate manner.
