Wrestler Bajrang issues another clarification on why he did not give sample to NADA

Wrestler Bajrang Punia clarifies refusal to give sample to NADA officials during selection trials in Sonipat.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia on May 10 took to his social media handle on ‘X’ to further clarify as to why he did not give a sample to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) officials during the selection trials in Sonipat on March 10.

Bajrang, who has been suspended by United World Wrestling (UWW) until December 31, on the basis of the provisional suspension imposed by NADA, again claimed that he had not refused to give his sample.

“This is to clarify that I have at no stage refused to give my sample for doping control. On 10 March 2024, when I was approached by alleged doping control officials, I merely reminded them that the last two times they came to collect my sample, they had gotten expired kits once and on the other instance, they had approached me with a single testing kit as opposed to the three testing kits. I then sought an answer from them as the NADA did not provide an answer to any of my communications demanding an explanation for the same and informed them that I would give my sample upon receiving such explanation from them,” Bajrang said.

“Not only did the doping control officials refuse to provide an explanation, they did not provide me any proof on this instance of them carrying proper equipment and merely left from the venue where I was at, claiming it to be a refusal from my end. I continued to be at the venue as I had another bout scheduled for 3/4 position. After my semi final bout, I met the SAI doctor at the venue for treatment regarding a knee injury suffered during the semi-finals of the Wrestling Trials. I only left the venue about an hour after the alleged doping control officials approached me, contrary to how it has been portrayed that I left immediately.

“In fact the dope controlling officer should have accompanied me till I submitted my medical report to the competition manager as per protocol, rather than leaving in a hurry in the middle of the trials, to record my refusal. Even if this incident is treated as refusal, the fact that it was due to NADA using expired kits and not providing an explanation for using them, or giving me comfort, that they had not carried expired kits again, should be considered as a compelling justification. I took such a stance solely because of the NADAs actions in the past, which, in the absence of an explanation, could continue a dangerous trend of the use of expired kits or non-compliance with doping control protocol. It is my moral obligation towards the wrestling community and particularly the younger wrestlers that I exercised here.”