Bajrang Punia

Bajrang Punia has claimed that he refused to provide urine samples during the selection trials in Sonepat in March because the dope control officials failed to furnish adequate proof that they were carrying proper equipment to conduct the tests.

Wrestling's world governing body UWW has suspended Bajrang Punia till the end of this year following NADA's decision to hand him a provisional suspension for refusing to undergo a dope test.

According to reports, Bajrang Punia had refused to give his sample during the March 10 selection trial and the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) had issued him a notice. The wrestler then rubbished the claims.

Earlier, on Sunday, NADA suspended the wrestler indefinitely, a move that could potentially jeopardise his bid to compete in the Paris Olympics, which is scheduled to be held later this year.

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.

Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya -- both Tokyo Games medallists -- were on Sunday eliminated from the race for the Paris Olympics qualification.

Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has moved an urgent joint petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking a stay on the selection competition being organised by the WFI.

WFI also announced the dates to hold selection trials for an Olympic qualifying event for Paris 2024, as well as the senior Asian championships - both scheduled to take place in April in Kyrgyzstan.

The suspension was imposed by UWW in August last year after the WFI failed to hold elections in time.

Wrestling's world governing body lifted the provisional suspension on India.

Former India wrestler and Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik on Wednesday accused the wrestlers protesting against her and other veteran wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia of running propaganda against them for Brij Bhushan Singh.

The crisis in Indian wrestling has taken a fresh twist as hundreds of wrestlers assembled at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest against the loss of one crucial year of their careers. They blamed Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat for it.

Wrestling action has come to a standstill for the last several months owing to the turmoil within the fraternity following the grapplers' protests against former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Sanjay Singh accused Bajrang Punia and other wrestlers part of the protest of doing politics and said that they were past their prime as players.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that "tactics of returning awards should be stopped". Anil Vij's statement came in connection to announcement of Vinesh Phogat returning her Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award.

Bajrang Punia has claimed that he refused to provide urine samples during the selection trials in Sonepat in March because the dope control officials failed to furnish adequate proof that they were carrying proper equipment to conduct the tests.

Wrestling's world governing body UWW has suspended Bajrang Punia till the end of this year following NADA's decision to hand him a provisional suspension for refusing to undergo a dope test.

According to reports, Bajrang Punia had refused to give his sample during the March 10 selection trial and the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) had issued him a notice. The wrestler then rubbished the claims.

Earlier, on Sunday, NADA suspended the wrestler indefinitely, a move that could potentially jeopardise his bid to compete in the Paris Olympics, which is scheduled to be held later this year.

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.

Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya -- both Tokyo Games medallists -- were on Sunday eliminated from the race for the Paris Olympics qualification.

Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has moved an urgent joint petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking a stay on the selection competition being organised by the WFI.

WFI also announced the dates to hold selection trials for an Olympic qualifying event for Paris 2024, as well as the senior Asian championships - both scheduled to take place in April in Kyrgyzstan.

The suspension was imposed by UWW in August last year after the WFI failed to hold elections in time.

Wrestling's world governing body lifted the provisional suspension on India.

Former India wrestler and Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik on Wednesday accused the wrestlers protesting against her and other veteran wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia of running propaganda against them for Brij Bhushan Singh.

The crisis in Indian wrestling has taken a fresh twist as hundreds of wrestlers assembled at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest against the loss of one crucial year of their careers. They blamed Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat for it.

Wrestling action has come to a standstill for the last several months owing to the turmoil within the fraternity following the grapplers' protests against former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Sanjay Singh accused Bajrang Punia and other wrestlers part of the protest of doing politics and said that they were past their prime as players.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that "tactics of returning awards should be stopped". Anil Vij's statement came in connection to announcement of Vinesh Phogat returning her Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award.