Bajrang Punia suspended by United World Wrestling
Bajrang Punia has been suspended by the United World Wrestling (UWW) till the end of the year due to his refusal to undergo to a drug test, which was the reason behind NADA’s decision to grant him a provisional suspension.
However, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) approved nearly Rs 9 lakh for his training overseas even though they were fully aware of the NADA’s directive. One of the most accomplished wrestlers in the country, Bajrang, received a whereabouts failure notice on April 18 and was subsequently suspended by NADA on April 23.
The bronze medallist from the Tokyo Olympics defended himself by saying he never objected to providing his sample for testing and that he just requested the dope control officer to clarify why outdated kits were brought in to obtain his sample.
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“Suspended for the following reason until Dec 31, 2024,” reads the update on Bajrang’s profile.
It’s interesting to note that the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) was notified during its meeting on April 25 that Bajrang’s proposal to train in Dagestan, Russia starting on May 28 has been approved for Rs 8,82,000 plus actual plane cost.
NADA had suspended Bajrang Punia
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) said on Sunday, May 5, that wrestler Bajrang Punia, who won bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, had been placed on a temporary suspension.
This action was taken in response to his alleged failure to submit a urine sample on March 10 during the trials held at the Sports Authority of India center in Sonipat.
Notably, Punia was eliminated from the Sonepat trials in the semi-finals of the 65kg division after falling to Rohit 9-1.
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“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 23 April.
Bajrang Punia surprised with the suspension
Bajrang acknowledged that he had submitted a proposal to SAI for approval.
“I am also surprised that SAI cleared it. I have actually cancelled my plan, I am not going anywhere for training now,” Bajrang said, adding that his lawyer has filed the reply to NADA.
