UWW Suspend Bajrang Punia; SAI Approves His Training stint In Abroad But Wrestler Cancels Trip

Bajrang Punia has been placed under a provisional suspension by the World Wrestling Federation (UWW) until the end of this year, in response to him denying a dope test to NADA.

Though well aware of NADA's judgment, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) made the rather unexpected decision to sanction nearly Rs nine lakh for his overseas training.

One of the most accomplished wrestlers in the nation, Bajrang, received a whereabouts failure notice on April 18 and was subsequently suspended by NADA on April 23.

The bronze medallist from the Tokyo Olympics defended himself by saying he never objected to providing his sample for testing and that he just requested the dope control officer to clarify why outdated kits were brought in to obtain his sample.

Bajrang said that he has not received any communication from the UWW about his suspension but the world governing body while updating its internal system clearly mentions that he stands suspended.

"Suspended for the following reason until Dec 31, 2024," reads the update on Bajrang's profile.

"Provisionally suspended by NADO IND for alleged ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation)," was the reason mentioned.

It's interesting to note that the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) was notified during its meeting on April 25 that Bajrang's proposal to train in Dagestan, Russia starting on May 28 has been approved for Rs 8,82,000 plus actual plane cost.

Bajrang's initial proposal was for a 35-day training trip from April 24 but, as per the minutes of the MOC meeting, due to

"conflicting travel dates due to his whereabouts failure, he chose to defer the travel plans from 24th April 2024 to 28th May 2024."

The proposal also included travel plans of his strength and conditioning coach Kaazi Kiron Mustafa Hasan and his sparring partner Jitender.

Neither Sandip Pradhan, the SAI Director General, nor Col. Rakesh Yadav, joint CEO of TOPS, have not responded on any platforms.

Bajrang acknowledged that he had submitted a proposal to SAI for approval.

"I am also surprised that SAI cleared it. I have actually canceled my plan, I am not going anywhere for training now," Bajrang said, adding that his lawyer has filed the reply to NADA.

Sarita Mor, a competitor in the women's 57kg class, was approved for Rs 5,96,000 during the same MOC meeting for her training trip in the USA beginning on May 5 with her spouse and coach Rahul Mann.

During the Asian Qualifiers held in Bishkek, Anshu Malik secured the quota for the women's 57kg Paris Olympics category.

The training program that Anshu, her father, and coach Dharamveer Malik undertook in Japan was approved for Rs 14,67,000.

Sarita will need to defeat quota winner Anshu in the trials if WFI chooses to host one last selection event.