The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia and also sent a notice. Bajrang Punia did not give his sample for dope test during the national trials held in Sonipat in March, after which NADA has taken this action. Bajrang Punia has time till July 11 to respond against the notice.
Earlier, on May 5, NADA also suspended him. When NADA suspended Bajrang the last time, his suspension was revoked three weeks later by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, as he was not issued a notice. Now NADA has issued a notice to Bajrang Punia along with the suspension.
On March 10, during the national trials for the Asian qualifiers to participate in the Olympic Games, NADA had asked Bajrang to give samples. But, Bajrang refused to give samples.
Brijbhushan was accused of sexual exploitation
Wrestlers had accused former WFI president Brijbhushan of sexual exploitation of female wrestlers. A movement was led by Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik regarding this. The wrestlers first staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar. After this, the Supreme Court gave orders on their petition and Delhi Police registered a case against Brijbhushan.
The hearing of this case is going on in the court. During this time, when WFI elections were held, Brijbhushan’s close aide Sanjay Singh won the elections. After which, apart from Bajrang, Vinesh Phogat also returned her awards. At the same time, Sakshi Malik retired from wrestling.
Bajrang played the Asian Games without giving trials
Bajrang Punia lost in the semi-final match of Hangzhou Asian Games in China last year. Not only this, in the bronze medal match also Bajrang was defeated by Japanese wrestler K. Yamaguchi 10-0. After his defeat, many people were enraged on social media, as he had not participated in any competitive match before participating in the Asian Games.
He was also criticized for being included in the Indian team for these games without trials.
Won gold in Commonwealth Games- 2022
Bajrang Punia won the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics. He won the gold medal for India in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. In the final of the men’s freestyle 65 kg weight category, Bajrang Punia defeated L. McLean of Canada 9-2. This was Bajrang Punia’s second consecutive gold and third medal overall in the Commonwealth Games, although he has not been able to do anything special after winning that gold medal.
Returned the Padma Shri award over WFI elections
Wrestler Bajrang Punia wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing his return of the Padma Shri award. In this letter, Bajrang had protested the victory of Brij Bhushan’s close aide Sanjay Singh on the post of President of the Indian Wrestling Association.
3 months ago, when he was not allowed entry into the Prime Minister’s residence, Bajrang put his award on the footpath in front. Bajrang said, ‘After insulting the women wrestlers, I will not be able to live such a respectable life, so I am returning my honor. Now I cannot live under the burden of this honor.’
