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The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has once again suspended Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia for refusing to provide a urine sample for a dope test. This is the second time NADA has suspended Punia, after revoking his initial suspension on May 31st due to a lack of a "notice of charge."On April 23rd, NADA suspended Punia for refusing to give a urine sample during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10th. The World Governing body UWW also suspended him. Punia appealed the provisional suspension, and NADA's Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) revoked it on May 31st until NADA issued the notice of charge.On Sunday, NADA served the notice to Punia, stating that he is being charged with violating Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. Punia has until July 11th to request a hearing or accept the charge.Punia has maintained that he never refused to give a sample but only demanded to know NADA's response to his email where he sought an answer to why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.NADA explained that the chaperone/DCO had approached Punia and informed him that he was required to provide a urine sample. Despite several requests, Punia refused, stating that he would not provide the sample unless NADA replied to his email regarding the expired kits.NADA made it clear that if the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) is upheld, it will seek "disqualification of results in the event during which the ADRV occurred, commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes." NADA may also recover financial costs associated with the ADRV or impose a fine.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has lifted the provisional suspension imposed on Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, who had refused to provide a urine sample after the selection trials in March. The Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) of NADA revoked the suspension until NADA issues a formal Notice of Charge to Punia.Punia had challenged the provisional suspension through his lawyers, arguing that he did not refuse to provide a sample but merely requested an explanation from NADA regarding an expired kit used to collect his sample in December 2023.The ADDP order stated that the provisional suspension was revoked "at this stage when Notice of Charge is yet to be issued to the Athlete." The panel emphasized that it had not yet considered the merits of Punia's explanations or the counter-arguments presented by NADA.Punia's refusal to provide a sample stemmed from his dissatisfaction with NADA's handling of his previous request for clarification on the expired kit. He had expressed concerns about the integrity of the sample collection process and the potential impact on his reputation.The ADDP's decision to lift the provisional suspension allows Punia to resume training and competition while NADA completes its investigation. The agency is expected to issue a Notice of Charge if it believes there is sufficient evidence to support a violation of anti-doping rules.Punia's case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in anti-doping procedures. Athletes have the right to question the integrity of the testing process and to seek clarification on any concerns they may have. NADA, in turn, has the responsibility to ensure that its protocols are fair and consistent, and that athletes are treated with respect.

Antim Panghal, India's 53kg wrestling sensation, is set to make her long-awaited return to competition at the International Ranking Series in Budapest from June 6. The world championships bronze medalist has been absent from the mat since October 2022, raising questions about her form and fitness ahead of the Paris Olympics.With no national camp being held, Antim has been training at her base in Hisar. Her coach, Bhagat Singh, insists that she is fully fit and eager to prove herself in Budapest. However, her rivals have demanded selection trials to assess her readiness for the Olympics.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided not to hold trials, instead sending quota winners directly to Paris. This decision has drawn criticism from some wrestlers and coaches, who believe that trials are essential to ensure the best possible team is selected.Antim's return to competition will be closely watched, as she aims to silence her critics and demonstrate her fitness for the Olympics. She will face stiff competition in Budapest, with several top wrestlers vying for ranking points.Meanwhile, other Indian wrestlers, including Ravi Dahiya, Sarita Mor, and Shivanee Pawar, have requested WFI to send their entries for the Budapest ranking series. These wrestlers, who had hoped to challenge the quota winners for an Olympic berth, are keen to prove their form in an international event.The Budapest ranking series will provide a crucial opportunity for Indian wrestlers to assess their progress and prepare for the Paris Olympics. Antim Panghal's performance will be particularly scrutinized, as she seeks to prove that she is ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Ravi Dahiya, India's former 57kg wrestling champion, faces an uncertain future after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) decided against holding final selection trials for the Paris Olympics. The decision has left Dahiya, who has been struggling with a knee injury, without a chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team.Dahiya's career has been on a downward spiral in recent years. After being the country's top wrestler in his weight class, he has lost consecutive domestic selection trials. The knee injury, which required surgery last year, has also taken a toll on his performance.Despite the setbacks, Dahiya remains optimistic. He has been working hard to regain his fitness and has been pleading with WFI officials to reconsider their decision. He has even met with the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials to state his case.However, WFI officials have indicated that the decision is unlikely to be reversed. They argue that there is not enough time left before the Budapest Ranking Series, which will serve as the final qualifying event for the Olympics.Dahiya's situation is a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in India. Despite their sacrifices and hard work, they can be left at the mercy of bureaucratic decisions that can derail their dreams.Dahiya's story is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to fight for his Olympic dream. He knows that the odds are stacked against him, but he is not giving up hope.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced that no selection trials will be held for the Paris Olympics, and the six wrestlers who have secured quotas for the country will represent India in Paris. This decision has come as a surprise to many wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, who were preparing for the trials.The five women wrestlers who have earned Olympic berths are Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Anshu Malik (57kg). Aman Sehrawat (57kg) is the only male wrestler to have secured a quota.WFI president Sanjay Singh stated that the seven-member selection committee unanimously decided to exempt quota-earning wrestlers from trials for the Paris Olympics, citing "a one-time exception in the current peculiar circumstances." The committee members, including chief coaches Jagmander Singh (men) and Virender Singh (women), believed that conducting trials at this short notice could impact the wrestlers' performance at the Olympics and increase the risk of injuries."Five wrestlers had written to us to not hold trials as it will affect their preparation. They will have to reduce weight and it will shift their focus on trials. Since there is little time left for the Paris Olympics, the selection committee has decided to not hold trials and select the quota winners for the Olympics team, as WFI has been doing previously," said Singh.The decision has disappointed Ravi Dahiya, who was hoping to challenge Aman in the selection trials. Dahiya, who is recovering from an ACL surgery, had lost to Aman in the selection trials in March for the two qualification competitions for Paris Olympics."I was preparing for the trials because we were told that the Paris Olympics team will be selected through trials. Now suddenly they are saying that there will be no trials. I don't know what to say," Dahiya told Hindustan Times."I was injured for a long time and it has taken time to recover. Since then I have been focusing on my training. The Paris Olympics is all I have been preparing for.. aur kya hai batao aap (What else is there for me?) It is very disappointing. I am trying to reach out to WFI. I will decide on my next step tomorrow," said Dahiya.The decision has also affected other wrestlers, including Sarita Mor, who was preparing to challenge Anshu Malik for a Paris berth. "We just came back today from a training stint in the US," said her husband and coach Rahul Mor. "Now they are saying that there is little time for Paris, but the trials were to take place only after all the qualifiers were over. So why this change of decision?"Vinesh Phogat, on the other hand, felt that the WFI's decision vindicated her call to compete in two weight classes for the Olympic qualification trials in Patiala. "A lot of people criticized me when I trialled in two weight categories (50kg and 53kg) in March but I knew WFI will be up to some mischief later," said Vinesh. "That's why I participated in two weight divisions in Patiala. All this while, we were told there will be a trial but suddenly they announce there won't be any trial. Is it fair to the wrestlers who appeared in the 53kg trials?"The WFI's decision has raised questions about the fairness of the selection process and the impact it will have on the wrestlers' morale. It remains to be seen if any wrestler will challenge the decision in court.

Four Indian wrestlers who have secured quota berths for the Paris Olympics have appealed to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to exempt them from selection trials, citing the proximity of the Games and the potential impact on their preparation.Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Anshu Malik (57kg) have individually written to the WFI, requesting their selection without trials. They argue that with only 10 weeks remaining before the Olympics, every day of training is crucial and that preparing for additional competitions would disrupt their plans."It leaves us with just 10 weeks of preparation time before the event, which is already less considering the timelines. Every single day of training is very important for me. Around this crucial time, preparing for another competition again affects my training plan, my diet, weight maintenance, and I will lose out on a lot of practice sessions because of this," one wrestler wrote in their letter.The wrestlers also expressed concerns about the risk of injuries at this stage. "It is too close to the Paris Olympics. If trials are held, all our focus will be on that instead of preparation towards Paris," said one wrestler.The WFI has scheduled a selection committee meeting on Tuesday to discuss the wrestlers' request. A member of the committee acknowledged the wrestlers' concerns and stated that all aspects would be considered."There is no doubt the Paris Olympics are very close and you want the wrestlers to completely focus on preparation at this point. The selection committee will look into every aspect," said the member.If the trials are not held, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya will not have a second chance to qualify in the 57kg category.India has a strong tradition in wrestling, having won at least one medal in the last four Olympics. The country's wrestlers have won a total of seven medals in the sport.

India's Olympic wrestling hopes have been dampened after only one male freestyle wrestler, Aman Sehrawat, qualified for the Paris Games. Sujeet Kalkal and Jaideep Ahlawat's losses in the repechage rounds at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul dashed India's chances of sending more men to the Olympics.Wrestling was India's most successful sport at the Tokyo Olympics, with Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia winning silver and bronze medals, respectively. However, the sport has been plagued by turmoil in the past year due to protests and a lack of national camps.Sujeet's failure to qualify also ends Punia's hopes of competing in Paris. Dahiya remains in contention, but he will have to prove his worth in selection trials scheduled for June 10.In women's wrestling, India has secured quotas through Vinesh Phogat, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Nisha Dahiya, and Reetika Hooda. Vinesh, who has been at the forefront of the wrestling protests, has the option to compete in either 50kg or 53kg.WFI president Sanjay Singh emphasized that Vinesh must choose one weight class for the trials. "She has to choose between 50kg and 53kg; whichever weight she gives her weigh-in, she can compete in that," Singh said.Despite the challenges, India's wrestlers remain determined to make their mark in Paris. However, the lack of preparation and turmoil within the sport have raised concerns about their ability to replicate their success from Tokyo.

Aman Sehrawat has secured India's first quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics in men's freestyle wrestling, triumphing in the 57kg division at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul. The Asian Games medalist showcased his dominance throughout the tournament, comfortably winning all his bouts.In the crucial semi-final, Sehrawat faced Asian Games silver medalist Chongsong Han of North Korea. Despite a tight first period, Sehrawat's superior technique and relentless attacks proved too much for Han. He secured a 12-2 victory, sealing the Olympic quota for India.Sehrawat's success also provides a lifeline to Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, who competes in the same weight class. The Olympic quota belongs to the country, and Sehrawat will likely have to win the selection trials at home to represent India in Paris.Sujeet Kalkal also impressed in the 65kg division, reaching the semi-finals before losing to experienced Mongolian wrestler Tomor-Ochiryn Tulga. However, the 22-year-old will have another chance to qualify for Paris in the repechage on Sunday.Sehrawat's journey to the Olympics has been marked by consistent progress. In 2022, he became the world U23 champion. Last year, he won bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games and gold at the Asian Championships in Astana. Despite missing out on qualification at the 2023 world championships and the Asian Qualifiers, Sehrawat remained determined and seized his opportunity in Istanbul.Sehrawat's victory is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian wrestling. With Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia also in contention, India has a strong chance of medaling in the 57kg and 65kg weight classes at the Paris Olympics.

Nisha Dahiya, a 24-year-old Indian wrestler, has secured a berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 68kg weight category. Her victory at the World Olympic Qualifiers in Istanbul on Friday marks India's fifth Paris Olympics quota in women's wrestling, the highest number the country has ever achieved.Dahiya's journey to the Olympics was not without its challenges. In the quarterfinals, she faced top seed Adela Hanzlickova of the Czech Republic, a multiple-time European championships medalist. Despite a shaky start, Dahiya managed to overcome Hanzlickova 7-4, showcasing her resilience and determination.In the semifinals, Dahiya faced Alexandra Anghel of Romania. She dominated the match, building an 8-0 lead before Anghel narrowed the deficit to 8-4. However, Dahiya held on to her advantage, securing her spot in Paris.Dahiya's success adds to the growing list of Indian wrestlers who have qualified for the Olympics. Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Reetika Hooda (76kg) have also earned quotas.On Saturday, India's freestyle wrestlers will have the opportunity to add to the country's Olympic contingent. The World Olympic Qualifiers are the final chance for wrestlers to secure their place in Paris.Dahiya's victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She is an Asian Championships medalist and a world U-23 bronze medalist. Her success is a source of inspiration for aspiring wrestlers in India and around the world.