Bajrang Punia Suspended Again by NADA Over Doping Sample Refusal
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Bajrang Punia |
| Date of Birth | February 26, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Khudan, Jhajjar, Haryana, India |
| Sport | Freestyle Wrestling |
| Weight Class | 65 kg |
| Recent Suspension | Suspended by NADA on April 23, 2023, for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials on March 10, 2023. |
Suspension revoked on May 31, 2023, due to procedural issues. Re-suspended on June 2023 after formal notice of charge. |
| Reason for Suspension | Alleged violation of Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021, for refusing to submit a urine sample. | | Defense | Punia claims he did not refuse but sought clarification on expired kits used in December 2023. | | Deadline | July 11, 2023, to request a hearing or accept the charge. | | Major Achievements | Bronze medal in Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Gold in 2018 Asian Games, Gold in 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, multiple medals in World and Asian Championships. | | Awards and Honors | Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2019), Padma Shri (2019). |