Bajrang Punia to challenge NADA suspension over not giving dope sample

NADA served a notice to the wrestler on April 23 and gave Punia until May 7 to give his reply. Punia lost in the trials to select the Indian squad for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Sonepat and left the venue without giving his sample and didn't return for the third-fourth place playoff.

The 30-year-old had put out a video some time ago alleging that NADA had come to collect his sample last December using a collection kit that was past its expiry date. On Sunday, after his provisional suspension was reported in the media, he contended on social media that he had not refused to give his sample in March but only wanted the NADA officials to first explain why they used a collection kit that was past its expiry date.

“I want to clarify about a report regarding my dope test. I never refused to give my sample, I requested them to get a reply about the expiry kit which I had raised with them. I wanted to know what action was taken? I told them please give me a reply and take my sample. My lawyer Vidhusphat Singhania will reply to this notice soon,” Punia wrote on X.