The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia for four years. Punia refused to give a dope test sample at the national team's selection trial on March 10, which led to the action against him.
Punia, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, was earlier provisionally suspended on April 23. After this the World Wrestling Organization (UWW) also took action against him. Punia appealed against the suspension, after which it was revoked till May 31.
After this, NADA sent a notice to Punia on June 23. Poonia challenged the decision on 11 July, followed by hearings on 20 September and 4 October. Now the NADA Doping Panel (ADDP) in its order has continued his four-year suspension.
Bajrang appealed against the suspension
After being suspended by NADA, Bajrang appealed against it. NADA's Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) lifted the suspension pending the issuance of charges. After the ban was imposed till May 31, NADA served a notice to wrestler Bajrang on June 23. After receiving the notice, he challenged the suspension in writing on July 11. Hearings were held on 20 September and 4 October but the decision was not in his favour.
Bajrang will not be able to provide coaching either
Bajrang Punia's ban by NADA will not only end his career as a player but also prevent him from coaching in future. ADDP said in its order that his coaching future in India would be over. The panel imposed this ban on Bajrang under Athlete Clause 10.3.1. Accordingly he has been declared ineligible to participate in any competition for 4 years.
Brij Bhushan was accused of sexual exploitation
Wrestlers have accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually abusing women wrestlers. In this regard, the movement was going on from 18 January 2023 under the leadership of Bajrang, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik. Wrestlers first protested on Jantar-Mantar.
After this, the Supreme Court ordered on 23 April 2023 on his petition and the Delhi Police registered a case against Brij Bhushan. The case is being heard in court.
Wrestlers protesting at Jantar-Mantar against former WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
Bajrang Punia played the Asian Games without giving a trial
Punia lost in the semifinals of the Hangzhou Asian Games in China last year. Not only that, in the bronze medal match too, Punia was defeated by Japanese wrestler Yamaguchi 10-0. Many people on social media were angry after his defeat, as he had not competed in any competition before participating in the Asian Games.
Bajrang was also criticized for including him in the Indian squad for the Asian Games without giving him a trial.
Won Gold in Commonwealth Games-2022
Poonia won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics (2020). He won a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. In the men's freestyle 65 kg weight category final, Punia defeated Canada's L. McLean lost 9-2. This was Poonia's second consecutive gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and third overall. However, he could not do anything special after this gold.
The Padma Shri award was returned due to the WFI election
Bajrang Punia wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the return of the Padma Shri award. In this letter, Poonia expressed her opposition to the victory of Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan, as the president of the Indian Wrestling Association.
When the WFI elections were held, Sanjay Singh, who was close to Brijbhushan, won the election. After this, apart from Punia, Vinesh also returned his awards on 23 December 2023.
On 23 December 2023, Bajrang Punia kept his award outside the Prime Minister's house. A police officer advising a wrestler.
Joined Congress before Haryana assembly elections
Before the Haryana assembly elections, Bajrang Punia joined the Congress along with wrestler Vinesh Phogat and was given charge of the All India Kisan Congress. At the same time, Vinesh has been elected to the Legislative Assembly from Julana in Haryana.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
