Wrestler Bajrang Punia Banned for Four Years for Refusing Dope Test

Indian wrestler and Tokyo Games bronze medalist Bajrang Punia was suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for refusing to provide samples for dope tests during the national selection trials on March 10 this year. For this violation, the athlete was suspended by NADA on April 23, following which he was also suspended by the World Wrestling Federation (UWW). The suspension period imposed by the NADA began on April 23, 2024. However, the period between May 31, 2024, and June 21, 2024, when the provisional suspension was lifted, would not be counted in the four-year ineligibility period. NADA imposes a four-year ban for first-time offenders/violators under Article 10.3.1 of the NADA Rules, 2021.

The athlete appealed the provisional suspension before the Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel on May 31. Later, the four-year sanction period was confirmed on June 23, 2024. The Doping Control Officer also stated that the refusal on the part of the athlete being ‘intentional and deliberate’ was an utter disregard of his duties and responsibilities under Articles 20.1 and 20.2 of the Anti-Doping Rules, 2021.