Bajrang Punia suspended by NADA again, served notice 3 weeks after ADDP was revoked

Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia was once suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency. The decision was made three weeks after NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) overturned the verdict on May 31 until the agency issued a notice of charges. Punia was suspended on April 23 for refusing to cooperate with NADA by providing a urine sample following hearings held in Sonipat.

Bajrang Punia suspended again

“This constitutes official notification that you have been charged with a violation of Article 2.3 of the 2021 National Anti-Doping Rules and are currently provisionally suspended” – reads the NADA message to Bajrang, as reported by PTI.

NADA categorically stated that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) was upheld. It will demand “disqualification of results in competitions during which ADRV occurred, commission for ADRV with all ensuing consequences, including loss of all medals, points and prizes

Why was Punia suspended?

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang’s suspension took place on April 23 after receiving a notification that his whereabouts had not been confirmed on April 18. On the other hand, Bajrang accused officials of sending sample collectors with expired kits. At a meeting held on April 25, the Olympic Mission Cell sanctioned P8,82,000 for Bajrang to Dagestan, Russia from May 28 and for his training in Dagestan.