Top Indian Wrestler Provisionally Suspended Again Over Doping Row
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New Delhi: India's top wrestler Radhika (68kg) has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency for a second time after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) appeal against her exoneration by NADA's adjudication panel.
The case has been dragging on since November 2022, when Radhika tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, which is known to enhance aerobic capacity and cause fat loss. She was subsequently cleared in May 2024 after NADA's follow-up test on her came back negative.
However, WADA appealed the decision in CAS, contending that NADA India did not adequately investigate the case and citing the absence of any concrete evidence of meat contamination provided by the athlete.
CAS ruled in favour of WADA, setting aside NADA's decision to exonerate her and referring the matter back to NADA for further investigation.
NADA has now provisionally suspended Radhika, who also competed for India at the World Championships last year. Three more athletes, including wrestlers Priyanka and Nitin, and volleyball player Shahbaj Ali, have also been provisionally suspended for testing positive for clenbuterol.
