Bajrang Punia, the bronze medallist in the Tokyo Olympics, is greatly relieved that the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) has lifted the temporary punishment that was imposed on him two months ago. The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) served Punia a notice on April 23 as a result of his reluctance to provide a sample following the Olympic qualifying trial held in Sonepat on March 10.
Punia was allowed till May 7th to reply. On May 13, Punia's case was heard online by ADDP, and at that hearing, his attorney Vidushpat Singhania supported Punia's decision to withhold a sample for analysis.
"He has submitted that considering the past experiences where the DCO has visited him for sample collection with expired kits and the fact that he was being targetted for his active participation in the agitation led by the co-wrestlers against their harassment, he was justified in refusing to give sample for dope test as he was expecting false implications," the judge stated.
Punia maintained that his denial to provide a sample was "not intentional" and that the chaperone/DCO had approached him prior to the bronze medal bout in order to obtain his sample.
Punia left the arena in tears after losing to Rohit 9-1 in his 65 kg semi-final during the trials, and he did not come back for the bronze medal playoff. The endgame arrived when Sujeet Kalkal lost the Olympics qualification and India failed to clinch the quota in Punia's division, therefore ending his hopes of going to Paris. Even if Kalkal had earned the quota, Punia would not have gone to Paris because the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) eventually decided not to organize any selection trials.
The ADDP observed that the panel cannot investigate the claims because NADA has not yet filed a Notice of Charge against Punia. This means that the investigation into the case's merits will not be possible, rendering the process outlined in Article 8 of the Anti Doping Rules 2021 unnecessary. If NADA chooses to charge the wrestler, the case will come before a "expeditious hearing" once more. Punia can now participate in international competitions according to the ADDP's ruling, according to Singhania.
Punia, who is presently undergoing training at his Sonepat headquarters, applauded the decision. We had strong evidence. I'm not the type to hide from drug tests. My only requirement was to receive a response to the email I submitted to NADA regarding expired kits. I have never declined a test. He answered, "I haven't heard back on that yet." Following NADA's decision, United international Wrestling (UWW) suspended Punia last month as well. The 30-year-old thought the international organization would soon lift its suspension as well. "The reason for UWW's action was the suspension of NADA. He noted that since NADA's suspension is now invalid, UWW's decision will also be overturned.
