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India's medal count at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games is set to drop by one after boxer Parveen Hooda was suspended for 22 months for whereabouts failure. Hooda, who won a bronze medal in the women's 57kg weight class, has been stripped of her medal and her results from December 11, 2022, to May 17, 2024, have been disqualified.The suspension stems from Hooda's failure to file her whereabouts three times within a twelve-month period, a violation of the International Boxing Association's anti-doping rules. The International Testing Agency (ITA), which is responsible for results management, handed down the suspension earlier this month.The suspension is a major blow to Hooda, who had earned an Olympic quota for the 2024 Paris Games with her bronze medal performance at the Asian Games. The quota has now been surrendered, and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria will fight for the 57kg quota in the final Olympic qualifier, starting in Bangkok on Friday.The suspension is also an embarrassment for Indian boxing, which has been plagued by a series of controversies in recent years. In 2021, the International Boxing Association (IBA) suspended the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for alleged mismanagement and corruption. The suspension was lifted in September 2022, but the BFI remains under scrutiny.Despite the suspension, India's overall medal count at the 2023 Asian Games will remain at 106, which is good enough for fourth place in the overall medal rankings.

Jaismine Lamboria to Represent India in Olympic Boxing Qualifiers After Parveen Hooda's SuspensionIndia's hopes of fielding a full contingent of boxers at the Paris Olympics have suffered a setback with the suspension of Parveen Hooda, the quota holder in the women's 57kg category. As a result, Jaismine Lamboria will now compete in the second Olympic boxing qualifiers in Thailand, which begin on May 24.Hooda's suspension stems from three whereabouts failures in a 12-month period, a violation of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. The International Testing Agency (ITA) has imposed a 22-month suspension on the boxer, which has been backdated to Friday. This means Hooda will serve a 14-month suspension, effectively ending her Olympic hopes.Lamboria, who previously competed in the 60kg category, will now represent India in the 57kg division at the qualifiers. She has a strong track record, having won a bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and competing in the first Olympic qualifiers and the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.The loss of the 57kg quota is a significant blow to Indian boxing, which has already secured three Olympic quotas through Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg). The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) expressed disappointment over Hooda's suspension, calling it an "unprecedented embarrassment."In boxing, Olympic quotas are awarded to countries, not individual athletes. Therefore, India has lost the quota in the 57kg category, and Lamboria will be competing for a new quota in Thailand.Lamboria's performance at the qualifiers will be crucial for India's hopes of fielding a strong boxing contingent at the Paris Olympics. The qualifiers will feature boxers from around the world, and only the top finishers in each weight category will earn Olympic berths.

India's Olympic medal hopes have suffered a significant setback with the provisional suspension of World Championships bronze medalist Parveen Hooda for Whereabouts Failure. The 26-year-old boxer has accumulated three such failures within a year, violating WADA regulations.Hooda's suspension, which carries a potential two-year ineligibility, has left the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) scrambling for solutions. The federation is in constant communication with the International Boxing Association (IBA) to explore options for reducing the sanction or overturning it altogether. However, there is no precedent for such a reversal.Even if the suspension is reduced to one year, Hooda will lose her Olympic quota in the 57kg category. The berth will likely be awarded to 60kg pugilist Jaismine Lamboria, who has been asked to prepare for the World Olympic Qualifiers in Bangkok.Hooda's coach, Sudhir Hooda, expressed disappointment and frustration, stating that repeated reminders about whereabouts updates were ignored. The BFI has remained tight-lipped on the issue, but secretary general Hemanta Kalita indicated that they are exploring all possible channels to mitigate the situation.Parveen's absence from the Elorda Cup in Kazakhstan, where she was initially listed, raised suspicions about her status. The Asian Games bronze medalist is currently at her home in Rohtak, Haryana.The Whereabouts Failure violation highlights the importance of athletes adhering to anti-doping regulations. Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool are required to provide accurate and timely information about their location to facilitate out-of-competition testing. Failure to do so can result in severe consequences, as Parveen has unfortunately discovered.

Parveen Hooda, one of India's four Olympic-bound boxers, is embracing the final stretch of her preparation for the Paris Games. Despite the sacrifices and challenges, she remains focused on her dream of Olympic glory.Hooda's journey to the Olympics has been marked by steady progress and unwavering determination. From her breakthrough victory over Sarita Devi in 2019 to her recent medal-winning performances at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Games, she has consistently proven her mettle.The 24-year-old boxer has identified the need to enhance her technical skills in preparation for Paris. She has expanded her repertoire beyond her signature counterattacking style, improving her ability to initiate attacks and fight effectively at all ranges.Hooda's transformation has also extended to her mental fortitude. She has worked diligently with a psychologist to strengthen her mental resilience, recognizing the importance of handling pressure in the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.Despite the intense training and sacrifices, Hooda remains grounded and focused on her ultimate goal. She has limited her phone usage, minimized social interactions, and adopted a strict diet to maintain her weight.Hooda's unwavering determination and belief in her abilities have been instrumental in her success. She is confident in her ability to perform well in Paris, knowing that she has overcome numerous challenges and gained invaluable experience along the way.