Grappling with ban, Bajrang Punia eyes comeback and 2028 Olympics

Bajrang Punia once again finds himself up against formidable odds. Much like the comebacks he has scripted on the wrestling mat, the gutsy Haryana wrestler is now quietly fighting battles on three fronts—administrative, legal, and physical—away from competition.

The 65 kg category bronze medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is currently contesting a four-year ban imposed by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for allegedly refusing to furnish samples during out-of-competition dope tests. Simultaneously, he has approached the Delhi High Court seeking relief, including access to the inquiry report, which he has said NADA has so far declined to share with him.

Alongside these legal proceedings, Punia is training in the United States. He is currently training at the University of Michigan, funding the stint himself, in an effort to remain competitive as he pursues his long-term goal of competing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

“I came here in October and will finish my training by mid-January. I am training at the University of Michigan and funding it myself. I will continue to train on my return to India,” Punia told Patriot from the United States.

“I am preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, even though I am currently banned. I believe my ban is man-mani (arbitrary),” he said.

Testing dispute

NADA has charged Punia with refusing to provide urine samples on multiple occasions, a violation of anti-doping procedural rules. Punia, however, has consistently denied the allegation, maintaining that he never refused to submit samples and that procedural irregularities were involved.

He has also linked the case to his earlier confrontation with former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, against whom several women wrestlers levelled allegations of sexual harassment in 2023, allegations that Punia publicly supported.

The wrestlers’ protest, which began in January 2023 in New Delhi, drew nationwide attention. According to Punia, in December that year, NADA Dope Control Officers (DCOs) arrived to collect samples. He has alleged that the officials carried expired testing kits, recorded a video of the interaction, and later shared it online. The video remains available on YouTube.

At least one DCO was reportedly suspended for failing to carry out his duties properly, a development that those close to Punia have cited as indicative of lapses on the agency’s part. NADA has not publicly commented on the suspension in connection with Punia’s case.

In a detailed post on X on May 10, 2024, running into 368 words, Punia laid out his version of events, stating that he had “at no stage” refused to give samples.

“On March 10, 2024, when the alleged DCOs approached me, I only reminded them that on the previous two occasions, they had either brought expired kits or arrived with just one testing kit instead of the required three,” he wrote.

He further claimed that he had sought clarification from NADA on these lapses, adding that he had informed the DCOs he would provide samples after receiving a satisfactory explanation. “Not only did the DCOs refuse to explain, but they also did not provide proof of carrying proper equipment and left the venue, later recording this as a refusal from my end,” he alleged.

Punia also stated that after his semifinal bout at the national trials in Sonepat, he met a Sports Authority of India doctor for treatment of a knee injury. He has claimed that he did not avoid sample collection and that the protocol required the DCO to accompany him until medical formalities were completed. “Instead, the DCO left in a hurry and recorded my refusal,” he alleged in his post.

Political tackles

NADA provisionally suspended Punia on April 23, 2024. Punia has alleged that the suspension was lifted temporarily due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections (April 19–June 1), suggesting that authorities were wary of public perception at the time.

“I received a favourable decision from a three-member NADA panel because they felt it would send the wrong message if I were targeted during elections,” he claimed. “But a month after the elections, I was suspended again.”

During the 2023 protests, Punia and the female wrestlers had the support of the Congress. He later joined the party in September 2024, along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. Phogat went on to win a seat in the Assembly.

NADA issued a fresh notice to Punia in June 2024, which he challenged through a written reply. Hearings before NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel took place in September and October, following which the four-year ban was imposed retrospectively from April 23, 2024.

Missing Paris

The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of Punia missing out on qualification for the Paris Olympics (July 26–August 11). He lost in the semifinals of the 65 kg trials to select India’s Olympic wrestling team.

At the time, the WFI and an ad hoc panel running the Indian Olympic Association were engaged in an administrative standoff. Punia’s supporters have argued that the turmoil may have affected his preparation, though no official link has been established.

Legal battle

As matters stand, Punia’s ban is scheduled to end on April 22, 2028—just over three weeks before the Los Angeles Olympics begin on July 14.

His legal team remains hopeful. “We have appealed before the NADA Appeals Panel against the four-year ban and expect an order within a couple of months,” advocate Vidushpat Singhania told Patriot. “Before the Delhi High Court, we are seeking an inquiry into how expired kits were issued and how many people were involved in that process.”

Singhania has also alleged procedural unfairness during the disciplinary hearings. “We were not allowed to cross-examine the DCOs. The chairperson of the disciplinary panel said only he would pose questions,” he claimed.

The next hearing in the Delhi High Court is scheduled for March 2. Punia is also awaiting a formal response on hearing from NADA.

Weight watch

Even as legal proceedings continue, Punia remains focused on training and managing his weight ahead of a possible return to competition.

“When you are out of competition for a long time, making a comeback becomes difficult. If my weight remains 70kg or 72 kg or even 73kg, I will try and fight in the 65kg category,” he said. “There are still two years to go for the Olympics, so we will assess the situation as it develops.”