UWW suspends Bajrang Punia in Case of Anti-Doping

On Thursday, the National Anti-Doping Agency's decision to temporarily suspend wrestler Bajrang Punia for allegedly breaking rules was acknowledged by the United World Wrestling (UWW).

The international organization updated the Tokyo Olympics medallist's status in accordance with the standard anti-doping procedure, stating that he had been given a provisional ban till the end of the year, though it is unclear how long the suspension will last, if it does.

Bajrang's profile on the UWW website read, "Suspended until December 31, 2024 for the following reason." NADO IND has placed him on temporary suspension due to a suspected ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation).

It is important to remember that the NADA panel hearing has not yet occurred. If the panel finds Bajrang's answer satisfactory, he could be cleared, but if not, he could face a two-year penalty.

When Bajrang was contacted by a NADA dope-control officer following his battle at the Olympic qualifying tournament selection trials in March, he is alleged to have refused to give a sample of his urine.

The wrestler has argued in his response to NADA that he did not decline to supply a sample, but rather asked for an answer to his previous email in which he claimed that the body had sent out-of-date kits to take his sample in December of last year.