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Tag: Bajrang Punia

  • Bajrang Punia Suspended By NADA For Not Giving Dope Sample, Say Sources Other

    The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia indefinitely, a move that could potentially jeopardize his bid to compete in the Paris Olympics, which is scheduled to be held later this year. According to sources, Punia failed to provide his urine sample for the selection trials at Sonepat on March 10, prompting NADA to issue the order suspending him from participation in any future events.

    “With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia has been immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter,” read an official release from NADA dated April 23.

    Punia, along with a line of other top wrestlers, including Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh; was at the forefront of former BJP MP and president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment. Following his suspension in light of the charges, Punia, who won the country a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, is likely to be barred from participation in the selection trials that are scheduled for later this month. No Indian has yet won an Olympic quota in the 65kg category.

    Sujeet Kalkal will represent India at the World Qualifiers, which are set to get underway in Istanbul on May 9. The suspension notice was addressed to the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) now-defunct ad hoc committee, as opposed to the federation that is recognized by United World Wrestling (UWW).

    Punia, who a few months prior released a video claiming to have expired dope-collecting kits, disregarded the dope control officer’s directive, claiming that NADA officials had not yet addressed his concerns.

    According to the dope-collecting officer’s report, he left even though he was informed that his refusal would result in a warning for breaking anti-doping rules. “Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continuously repeated his statement and immediately left the venue refusing to give a dope sample,” the DCO stated in his report.

    Punia was asked to present a written justification by May 7 for his refusal to submit supporting documentation and a urine sample. “If you do accept the consequences, the case will be resolved without further disciplinary proceedings, subject to the right of appeal. If you disagree, the matter will be referred for adjudication to the anti-doping disciplinary panel,” the letter stated.

  • Did You Know: Vinesh Phogat Was Once Romantically Linked With Neeraj Chopra But Soon The Wrestler Married Long-Time Boyfriend | Other

    Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is in the news because of her fight against the current setup of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The fight between the wrestlers and the federation has been going on for almost a year now. Vinesh returned her prestigious national awards – Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna and Arjuna award – to the government and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vinesh did that to bring attention of the PM to the struggle of the wrestlers. Earlier Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia had announced retirement and returned Padma Shri award respectively after Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected as the chairman of WFI.

    Also Read | Newly-Formed WFI Suspended By Sports Ministry Days After Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s Close Aide Sanjay Singh Elected As President

    Vinesh and Co got very little support from the star Indian athletes. Cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma are yet to speak on the matter. The likes of PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal among others have been mute on the ongoing tussle between wrestlers and WFI. The only elite athlete who has spoken on the wrestlers’ protest is Neeraj Chopra.

    When the Delhi Police had detained the wrestlers from the protest site, Neeraj had tweeted: “I feel sad after watching this. There has to be a better way to deal with this.” Neeraj comes from same state as the protesting wrestlers which is Haryana. He is a close friend of Vinesh. They both were inducted into JSW Sports (sports wing of the JSW group that supports talented Indian athletes) at the same time. But not many people know that at one time, the two were romantically linked to each other.

    , There has to be a better way to deal with this. https://t.co/M2gzso4qjX — Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) May 28, 2023

    During Asian Games 2018, Neeraj and Vinesh used to attend each other’s matches. Mid-Day had reported in 2018 how Neeraj made time to watch the 50kg final between his friend Vinesh and Japanese wrestler Yuki Irie. The report says that Neeraj had very little time to make it the wrestling arena as he had a training session at other place in the evening. “I had a training session just now, so I’m a little late, but I’m glad that I did not miss this final,” Neeraj had told the newspaper.

    Neeraj had blushed, reported the paper, when asked if he knew Vinesh from before the Asiad. To reply to this question, he said we are good friends and just that. Earlier the same year, Vinesh had reportedly attended the men’s javelin final in Gold Coast wherein Neeraj clinched the gold medal.

    Vinesh was pleasantly surprised when she was told by the media that Neeraj was watching her final in Asian Games 2018. On being asked if Neeraj was his ‘lucky charm, Vinesh had said, “Lucky charm jaisa kuch nahi hai. Hum sirf achche dost hai (there’s nothing like a lucky charm or anything, we’re just good friends),” she had said.


    But the rumored relationship story did not last long. As soon as Vinesh landed in Delhi, she got engaged to boyfriend Somvir Rathi. The engagement happened at the airport parking area, said a report. “For the last 4-5 years, it has so been happening that I was losing bouts just before my birthday. This time, after securing the Asiad gold medal, we wanted to celebrate the win in a grand way. Thus, this engagement at the airport,” Vinesh was quoted as saying in Times of India.

  • Priyanka Gandhi Meets Sakshi Malik A Day After Her Resignation

    Sakshi Malik announced her retirement while Bajrang Punia announced to return his Padma Sri award.