Wrestling: Wrestler Bajrang Punia makes this big allegation

Indian male wrestler Bajrang Punia has made a big allegation while strongly hitting back at the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). NADA had suspended Bajrang on 23 April for not giving samples for dope test during the selection trials held in Sonipat on 10 March. Although Bajrang got relief from the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP), NADA suspended Bajrang for the second time on 24 June. Now the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist wrestler has alleged that NADA wants to end his career because of exposing the flaws.

The ADDP had lifted the first suspension on the ground that NADA had not officially accused the wrestler of doping by serving him a formal notice. After this, NADA issued him a notice and suspended him again. The 30-year-old, a multiple medalist at the World Championships, claimed that he never refused to give a sample but only sought an answer as to why NADA had sent an expired kit for sample collection in December 2023.

‘NADA is targeting me’

Bajrang wrote on X, this shows how NADA is targeting me, they don’t want me to continue wrestling at any cost. They have no answers and they don’t want to take responsibility for their mistakes, they just want to harass the athlete to get rid of themselves. NADA doesn’t want anyone to question their wrong methods and if someone does, he is targeted so that he cannot continue his sport. Why doesn’t NADA answer about the expired kit? Why doesn’t NADA answer that I was forced to take a sample between two matches when they knew that I had only 20 minutes to prepare for the next match.

Bajrang said that he will not give up in this case. He said, ‘If NADA wants to challenge the wrestlers’ patience and determination to stand up for their rights for its arrogance, then let it do so. This is what a wrestler is and will fight till the end. My lawyers will file their reply on time.’ Bajrang has been given time till July 11 to accept the charges or request a hearing.