Indian Wrestler Bajrang Punia Receives Four-Year Ban for Doping Violation

The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist plans to appeal the ban, alleging procedural lapses and political motives behind the decision.

Bajrang Punia, a prominent Indian wrestler and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, has been banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials in March 2024.
Punia claims his refusal was due to expired testing kits previously used by NADA, which he says eroded his trust in the doping control process.
The wrestler alleges the ban is politically motivated, linking it to his role in protests against former Wrestling Federation of India president and BJP politician Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.
NADA maintains that Punia's refusal to provide a sample was deliberate and violated anti-doping rules, dismissing his justification as unconvincing.
Punia plans to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, asserting that he has evidence to challenge the ruling and prove his innocence.