Credit: X
The United World Wrestling (UWW) has reportedly suspended Indian ace wrestler Bajrang Punia till the end of 2024. The suspension came a few days after the wrestler was handed a provisional suspension by the NADA. Punia reportedly refused to undergo a dope test, but he later explained that he never refused to give his sample. Instead, he wanted the NADA officials to explain why the kits they were using expired kits for his sample.
Bajrang told PTI that he didn’t receive any message from the global wrestling governing body, about suspension but UWW has updated its internal system, which mentions that he stands suspended. Bajrang’s profile read, “Suspended for the following reason until Dec 31, 2023”, with the reason mentioned, “Provisionally suspended by NADO IND for alleged ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation).”
SAI approves Punia’s training stint abroad but wrestler cancels trip
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) approved the wrestler’s training abroad but the wrestler refused. As per a report from PTI, after the Mission Olympics Cell (MOC) meeting on April 25, the SAI approved INR 8.85 lakh for the 30-year-old’s training in Russia’s Dagestan despite NADA’s suspension. Punia said, “I am also surprised that SAI cleared it. I have actually cancelled my plan, I am not going anywhere for training now.”
In the same meeting, Sarita Mor, women’s 57kg category wrestler, was sanctioned ₹5,96,000 for her training in the USA with her husband and coach Rahul Mann from May 5. Anshu Malik, on the other hand, was approved of ₹14,67,000 along with her father and coach Dharamveer Malik.
