Olympic-bound wrestler Sumit Malik fails dope test, provisionally suspended

Olympic-bound Indian wrestler Sumit Malik has been provisionally suspended after failing a dope test during the recent Qualifiers in Bulgaria, just weeks ahead of the Tokyo Games.

Published : Jun 04, 2021 12:06 IST , KOLKATA

In a jolt to the Indian wrestlers’ campaign in the Tokyo Olympics, 125kg freestyle wrestler Sumit Malik has tested positive for the banned substance methylhexaneamine (MHA).

According to a Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) official, the United World Wrestling (UWW) in its communication on Thursday night said that Malik had been provisionally suspended for the doping violation.

As per World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibited substances, MHA is prohibited in-competition only as a specified stimulant.

The WADA Code says, “when an Adverse Analytical Finding is received for a prohibited substance or a prohibited method, other than a specified substance, a provisional suspension shall be imposed promptly…”

“The UWW has said that Sumit’s ‘A’ sample is positive. His ‘B’ sample is expected to be tested around June 10,” said a WFI official on Friday.

Malik was tested during the World Olympic qualifier in Sofia, Bulgaria, last month.

The WFI official said if Malik was held responsible for the doping violation (during the hearing process), then India would lose the Olympic quota place earned by him.

Eight Indian wrestlers, four each in men and women’s freestyle, have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Four years ago, before the Rio Olympics, 74kg wrestler Narsingh Yadav had failed a dope test and was withdrawn from the Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) handed the Indian wrestler a four-year suspension for the doping violation.