The National Anti -Doping Agency has suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia indefinitely reportedly for not providing urine samples for dope test. The decision could affect Punia’s bid to compete in Paris Olympics later this year.
According to reports, Punia failed to provide urine samples during the selection trials held at Sonepat at March 10 and it prompted the national body to take action against the two-time Commonwealth Games champion. Sportstar reported after losing to Rohit Kumar during the selection bout in Sonipat, the anti-doping body tried to collect Punia’s samples but the wrestler did not stay back even for third-fourth place bout.
मेरे बारे में जो डोप टेस्ट के लिए ख़बर आ रही है उसके लिये मैं स्पष्ट करना चाहता हूँ !!! मैंने कभी भी नाडा अधिकारियों को sample देने से इनकार नहीं किया, मैंने उनसे अनुरोध किया कि वे मुझे जवाब दें कि उन्होंने पहले मेरा sample लेने के लिए जो एक्सपायरी किट लाई थी, उस पर उन्होंने क्या… pic.twitter.com/aU676ADyy3
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) May 5, 2024
Responding on the developments, Punia shared a video on X and said, “I want to clarify the news about me being asked to take a dope test!!! I never refused to give my sample to NADA officials, I requested them to first answer me as to what action they took on the expired kit they brought to take my sample and then take my dope test. My lawyer Vidush Singhania will reply to this letter in time.”
Punia was one of the wrestlers who was in forefront in the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh over alleged sexual allegations against him.
