UWW suspends Bajrang; The SAI approves his training trip abroad, but the wrestler cancels the trip

New Delhi: World wrestling body UWW has suspended Bajrang Punia till the end of this year after NADA decided to give him an interim ban for refusing to undergo a drug test.

However, in a rather surprising decision, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) fined him nearly Rs 900,000 for his training abroad despite knowing full well about NADA’s order.

Bajrang, one of the country’s most successful wrestlers, was suspended by NADA on April 23 after he was served with a stay order on April 18.

In his defense, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist said he never refused to give his sample for testing, but merely asked the dope control officer to explain to him the presence of expired kits brought to collect his sample.

Bajrang told PTI that he has not received any notice of his suspension from the UWW, but the world governing body clearly mentions that he is suspended when updating its internal system.

“Suspended until December 31, 2024 for the following reason,” the update on Bajrang’s profile reads.

The reason was “Provisionally suspended by NADO IND for alleged ADRV (anti-doping rule violation)”.

Interestingly, Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) was informed in its meeting on April 25 that Bajrang would be sanctioned Rs 8,82,000 plus airfare (actual) for his proposal to train in Dagestan, Russia from May 28. had received.

Bajrang’s original proposal was for a 35-day training trip starting April 24, but according to minutes of the MOC meeting, he decided to postpone travel plans from April 24, 2024 to May 28 due to “conflicting travel dates due to his lack of residency determination.” 2024.’

The proposal also included travel plans of his strength and conditioning coach Kaazi Kiron Mustafa Hasan and his sparring partner Jitender.

Neither Sandip Pradhan, director general of the SAI, nor Col Rakesh Yadav, joint managing director of TOPS, responded to calls or messages when PTI sought an explanation for the decision to approve his training.

Bajrang confirmed that he had submitted a proposal to the SAI for approval.

“I am also surprised that the SAI gave the approval. I have actually canceled my plan, I am not going anywhere for training now,” Bajrang said, adding that his lawyer has submitted the reply to NADA.

In the same MOC meet, Sarita Mor, who competes in the women’s 57kg category, was fined Rs 5,96,000 for her training stay in the US along with her husband and coach Rahul Mann from May 5.

Anshu Malik had secured the women’s quota in the 57kg category for the Paris Olympics during the Asian qualifiers in Bishkek.

Anshu’s training stay in Japan along with her father and coach Dharamveer Malik was also approved for Rs 14,67,000.

If WFI decides to hold a final selection event, Sarita will have to emerge victorious from the trials to challenge the quota winner Anshu.