Bajrang’s interim suspension lifted – Hindustan Times

In a huge relief for Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) has lifted the provisional suspension imposed on the wrestler two months ago. Punia received a notice from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on April 23 after he refused to provide a sample following the Olympic qualifier selection process held on March 10 in Sonepat.

Punia was given until May 7 to respond. His case was heard online before the ADDP on May 13, where Punia, represented by advocate Vidushpat Singhania, defended his refusal to provide a sample for testing.

“He has submitted that in view of his previous experience when the DCO had visited him for sample collection using expired kits and the fact that he was being targeted for his active participation in the agitation led by the co-wrestlers against their bullying, he was justified in refusing to provide a sample for the doping test as he expected incorrect conclusions to be drawn,” the panel found.

Punia argued that his refusal to provide the sample was “not deliberate” and that the DCO/Chaperone approached Punia about his sample while his bronze medal match had not yet taken place.

“…the athlete should have been approached after his bronze medal bout was over, but the DCO/Chaperone simply left without waiting for the final bout to be over,” Singhania argued.

After losing his semifinal in the 65kg category to Rohit 9-1, Punia left the venue in tears and did not return for the bronze medal playoff. The defeat all but ended his Paris dreams and the final came when Sujeet Kalkal lost the Olympic qualifier as India could not meet the quota in Punia’s division. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) later decided not to hold selection trials, which meant that even if Kalkal had won the quota, he and not Punia would have travelled to Paris.

ADDP noted that NADA has not yet filed a charge sheet against Punia and “the Panel cannot therefore initiate an investigation into the allegations, thereby examining the issues surrounding the facts of the case and rendering the process prescribed in Article 8 of the 2021 Anti-Doping Rules redundant.”

The case will again be put up for a “fast track hearing” if the NADA decides to issue a charge sheet to the wrestler. The ADDP’s decision means Punia will be able to compete internationally, Singhania said.

Punia, who is currently training at his base in Sonepat, welcomed the verdict. “We had a solid case. I am not one to run away from doping tests. I have never said no to a test. My only condition was to first get a response to the email I had sent to NADA regarding the expired tests. I have not received any response to that so far,” he said.

“These are all tactics to bully and intimidate us because we were involved in the wrestlers’ protests. I am paying the price for standing firm,” added the four-time world championship bronze medalist.

Last month, United World Wrestling (UWW) also suspended Punia following an action by NADA and the 30-year-old believes that the world association will soon lift its sanction as well. “UWW acted on the basis of NADA’s suspension. Since NADA’s suspension no longer exists, the UWW’s ruling will also be lifted,” he said.