Never refused to give my sample for doping control: Bajrang Punia after UWW ban

Bajrang Punia denied claims that he did not submit his urine sample for doping control after United World Wrestling (UWW) on Thursday banned him until December 31, 2024 for doing so.

Punia wrote on the social media platform “The last two times they had collected my sample, they had received expired kits once and the other time they had approached me with a single test kit as opposed to the three test kits.”

“I then asked them for a response as NADA did not respond to any of my communications seeking an explanation and informed them that I would give my sample once I received such an explanation from them. Not only did the doping control officers refuse to provide an explanation, but in this case they also failed to provide me with any evidence that they had the correct equipment and simply left the venue I was at, saying it was about a refusal on my part,” the wrestler added.

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“I continued to stay at the venue as another fight was planned for the 3/4 position. After my semi-final bout, I met the SAI doctor at the venue for treatment of a knee injury I sustained in the semi-finals of the Wrestling Trials.

“I only left the venue about an hour after the alleged doping control officers approached me, contrary to the narrative that I left immediately. In fact, the drug control officer should have accompanied me until I submitted my medical report to the competition director as per protocol, instead of rushing to document my refusal in the middle of the trials.

“Even if this incident is treated as a refusal, the fact that NADA used expired equipment and did not provide an explanation for its use or provide me with comfort that they no longer carried expired equipment should be viewed as compelling justification.

“I have taken such a stance solely because of NADA’s actions in the past, which, without explanation, could lead to the continuation of the dangerous trend of using expired kits or non-compliance with the doping control protocol.” It is my moral obligation to the wrestling world. community and especially the younger wrestlers that I have practiced here,” Punia concluded.

NADA suspended Bajrang on April 23 for his “refusal” to give his sample during the Olympic qualifier selection trials on March 10 in Sonipat.

According to UWW records, Bajrang was suspended until December 31, 2024 because he was “provisionally suspended” by NADA “for alleged anti-doping rule violations (ADRV).”

The athlete filed a response to the NADA notice on Tuesday through his lawyer Vidushpat Singhania and is yet to have his case heard by an anti-doping disciplinary panel.

Although the interim suspension by NADA, a relevant authority, applies to all competitions and activities until the charges are resolved, it is not clear how UWW arrived at the exact date until which Bajrang is suspended.