Wrestler Sumit Malik Gets 2-year ban after B sample also fails dope test

Indian wrestler Sumit Malik get banned for two-year by the sports’ governing body after his B sample also failed the dope test, after which his hopes of participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics suffered a big blow on Friday, have 2 weeks to appeal against the decision.

His ‘B’ sample was opened on June 30 and expectedly that returned the same result as his ‘A’ sample.

“Sumit Malik’s B sample has given the same result and the UWW has banned him for two years from June 3. He has a week to respond. He can call for a hearing or accept the sanction,” told a source in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

As per reports, Rohtak-based Malik said they will soon take a decision

“We are discussing the matter with our lawyer,” said the person who is interacting with Malik on the matter.

This is the second instance of an Indian wrestler failing a dope test earlier Narsingh Pancham Yadav, who had tested positive for a banned substance and slapped with a four-year ban before the 2016 Summer Games in Rio.

Sumit Malik had made the cut for the Tokyo Games in the 125kg category last month. Malik was the fourth Indian freestyle wrestler to make the cut for the 2021 Games after Ravi Dahiya (57kg), Bajrang Punia (65kg), and Deepak Punia (86kg). He had also completed Asian Qualifiers in Almaty in April but did not succeed in earning an Olympic quota. He then competed at the Asian Championship at the same venue and returned with a medal-less performance.

India will be represented by 8 wrestlers at the Tokyo Olympics, which begin on July 23. But the country now risks losing one quota following Sumit’s failed dope test. 

(With PTI inputs)