Bajrang Punia: NADA imposes new ban on Bajrang Punia for refusing a doping test | More sports news

NEW DELHI: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia again, weeks after his first suspension was lifted by the Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP). The action follows allegations that Punia refused to submit a urine sample for a doping test during the selection trials in Sonepat on March 10. NADA filed a formal charge against Punia, which led to his provisional suspension.

The NADA had suspended Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia on April 23 for not submitting a urine sample during the selection tests. This suspension was also confirmed by the world body UWW. However, the ADDP lifted this suspension on May 31, citing that the NADA had not issued a formal “charge”. According to a PTI report, the suspension has been reimposed with the charge now issued.

The NADA statement states: “We hereby inform you that you are accused of violating Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules 2021 and that you are now provisionally suspended.”

Bajrang Punia has until July 11 to request a hearing or accept the charges. Punia, for his part, has claimed that he did not refuse to provide a sample but merely wanted to know why expired kits were used for his sample collection in December 2023. He was waiting for a response from NADA to his email on the matter.

NADA explained its position as follows: “The Chaperone/DCO duly contacted you and informed you that you are required to provide a urine sample for doping analyses. Even after several requests from the DCO, you refused to provide your urine sample on the grounds that you would not provide the sample if NADA does not respond to your email regarding the expired kits used by the concerned DCO who had come to collect the athlete’s sample for doping test about two months ago. Following your refusal to undergo sample collection, the DCO of NADA also explained to you in detail the consequences and implications as per NADR 2021. Despite all efforts of the DCO, you refused to undergo sample collection.”

The NADA also explained the consequences of a violation of the anti-doping rules (ADRV). “It will seek disqualification of the results of the event at which the ADRV occurred, as well as the commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences, including the loss of all medals, points and prizes.”

In addition, NADA pointed out the possibility of recovering the costs associated with the ADRV from Punia and imposing a fine as permitted under the NADR 2021.