Wrestler Bajrang Punia
Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia was provisionally suspended again by NADA after refusing to provide urine samples for analysis. They issued him a notice of charge.
NADA has given Bajrang until July 11 to request a hearing or accept the charges against him, warning that any conviction could lead to disqualification and forfeiture of medals, as well as financial repercussions.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia Doping allegations
Bajrang Punia’s chances of making the Paris Olympics have taken a dramatic knock, after being placed under provisional suspension by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). He received this ban due to non-cooperation with dope officials during selection trials held last month in Sonepat. Wrestler Bajrang Punia
According to the report by the Dope Collecting Officer, Punia left the arena after being asked for a urine sample. He claimed that NADA officials were using expired kits when collecting samples and demanded they answer his query regarding why these kits had been sent in December last year. Wrestler Bajrang Punia
But the chaperone/DCO warned him of WADA code’s penalty for failing to give samples, according to WADA code. But the wrestler refused, leaving without giving samples despite repeated warnings by DCO, even after repeated warnings by both. Wrestler Bajrang Punia
The 30-year-old has been given until May 7 to provide their justification, or else miss this week’s World Qualifiers where his only chance at an Olympic quota place lies. According to NADR 2021, NADA may at their discretion recover costs associated with ADRV and/or impose fines as mandated in their policy statement. Lastly, his doping case has been forwarded onto ADDP for investigation and hearing proceedings.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia Suspension
National Anti-Doping Agency has provisionally suspended Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia again for refusing to give a urine sample at selection trials after losing his semifinal match, refusing a urine sample from doping control officers, storming out of the stadium without participating in third and fourth place bouts and refusing to submit to doping tests with expired kits used during tests. Punia later explained this incident was driven by his moral obligation of raising concerns regarding these kits used during doping tests. Wrestler Bajrang Punia
UWW has updated its records to reflect Bajrang’s provisional suspension by NADA until December 31. In communicating to him, the world wrestling governing body confirmed this suspension with regards to an alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violation committed on March 10, 2024 during Olympic Selection Trials. Wrestler Bajrang Punia
As a response, Bajrang noted he has yet to receive notice of charge and remains under provisional suspension. If his plea is rejected upon hearing, his suspension would come into effect from the expiry of provisional suspension date and medals/points earned from that event could be forfeited as punishment. If accepted as charges by court proceedings, bajrang could face forfeiting international tournament participation as well as losing any medals/points earned.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia Appeal
Wrestler Bajrang Punia was issued with a notice of suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency after refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials in Sonepat on March 10. After losing his bout and refusing to allow NADA officials to collect it for doping control purposes, Punia left without providing samples because he believed their dope collecting officer used expired kits.
Dope-collection officer was reported as warning Punia that refusing to provide a sample could violate anti-doping rules; however, Punia ignored them and left the venue immediately thereafter without providing any explanation or providing his supporters for this behavior. Punia left with his supporters following this incident.
NADA has informed the wrestler of an anti-doping rule violation for failing to submit to sample collection without sufficient justification, after receiving notification by an Anti-Doping Authority. According to Article 2.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code: “Attempts or refusal to provide samples after notification by Anti-Doping Authorities shall constitute violations.”
Indian wrestler Manoj Poonia won’t be competing at this week’s World Olympic Qualifier at Bishkek due to a suspension, making him ineligible to compete. However, he still stands a chance of making Paris Olympics thanks to World Wrestling Federation (WFI)’s final selection trial, scheduled to be held in June.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia Hearing
NADA issued a notice to famed wrestler Bajrang Punia to inform them that a provisional suspension has been placed upon him and asked for him to respond by July 11th.
Bajrang Punia had refused to submit his urine sample for doping tests at Sonepat’s selection trials earlier this month and as a result was provisionally suspended by UWW – only for this provisional suspension to be lifted after appeal was filed by his legal representatives at NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel on May 31.
However, Punia disregarded the directive of the Dope Collecting Officer and left without taking part in a test despite having been warned that failure to do so would result in receiving a notice. According to Punia’s Dope Collecting Officer report he “continuously repeated his statement before departing immediately from the venue without providing his sample”.
NADA informed the wrestler in its communication that it found him guilty of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules 2021 and may seek to recover costs associated with ADRV as per NADR 2021 provisions. Alternatively, fines may also be imposed under these regulations.
Vidushpat Singhania, representing wrestler Luca Punia, confirmed they received notice from NADA and will respond accordingly. Punia claims he never refused to provide samples for analysis; rather, he wanted an explanation from them as to why expired kits were used to take his samples.
