Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar, who has been suspended for four years for a doping violation, will appeal against the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) disciplinary panel decision seeking a reduction in the sanction.
Ravi, who had bagged a gold and a silver in 2010 Delhi and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games respectively, had tested positive for ostarine (enobosarm), selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) and dihydroxy-LGD-4033 SARM in the National weightlifting championships in Visakhapatnam in February last year.
“He submitted that he started training in November 2018 after a gap and consumed various food supplements to increase his strength. He also consumed a new food supplement called SARM. He admitted that he did not bother inquiring about whether it contained any prohibited substance and therefore was deeply regretful of his lapse in judgement,” said a Facebook post from NADA.
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“This falls under Article 10.6.3 which provides for the benefit on account of ‘prompt admission,’ and so as per Article 10.11.2 the period of ineligibility shall start running from the date of sample collection (February 26, 2019).”
Ravi, who was among the 14 weightlifters to have tested positive in-competition for banned substances, was confident about getting some relief from the appeal panel. “There are certain grounds which I had brought to the notice of the NADA panel. I will highlight these points (before the appeal panel) and am sure of getting a reduction in the period of suspension,” Ravi said on Wednesday.
“I hope to make a comeback again and sign off with a good performance in an international event,” he said.
Ravi has also paid a 'fine' of Rs 50,000 imposed by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) for the anti-doping rule violation.
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