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WFI issues anti-doping advisory after two wrestlers fail tests
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Friday issued a strict anti-doping advisory for wrestlers and support staff ahead of next month's event in Japan, after two athletes lost Asian Games berths…
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Friday issued a strict anti-doping advisory for wrestlers and support staff ahead of next month's event in Japan, after two athletes lost Asian Games berths following positive dope tests. Freestyle wrestler Mukul Dahiya (86kg) and Greco Roman athlete Deepanshu (130kg) were provisionally suspended after failing tests.
WFI president Sanjay Singh said the federation had requested replacements but was told that under UWW rules, replacements are only allowed for injuries. "We are likely to lose out on fielding wrestlers in two weights," he said. Singh blamed the positive results partly on wrestlers training with "desi coaches" outside the national camp, alleging these coaches encourage the use of prohibited substances.
The advisory reminds athletes that ignorance or reliance on coaches does not absolve them of responsibility, and those in registered testing pools must provide accurate whereabouts. Singh said the WFI will conduct more awareness programmes.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The WFI's concern follows a pattern of doping cases that have hurt India's wrestling reputation. In 2024, the country lost Olympic medals due to similar violations. The wrestlers' reliance on local coaches, many unaffiliated with the WFI's structured programme, points to a deeper gap in grassroots oversight. With two weight categories now unfilled for the Japan event, India's medal count will suffer directly. The UWW's strict no-replacement rule for doping cases leaves no room for appeal, meaning the federation must urgently tighten camp attendance rules and monitoring. The next test will be whether the WFI's awareness campaigns can reach wrestlers training outside its system before the 2026 Asian Games qualifiers.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
