After losing two Asian Games berths due to positive dope tests, a ‘deeply concerned’ Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Friday issued a strict advisory for the wrestlers and support staff in the run-up to next month’s mega event in Japan.
Recently, freestyle wrestler Mukul Dahiya (86kg) and Greco Roman athlete Deepanshu (130kg) failed dope tests and were provisionally suspended.
“We requested for their replacements, but as per rules replacements are possible in case of injuries only. The United World Wrestling (UWW) is strict about doping. We are likely to lose out on fielding wrestlers in two weights,” WFI president Sanjay Singh told The Hindu.
The WFI had been flagging the issue of wrestlers staying out of the National camp without due permission, which Sanjay felt was one of the reasons for positive results. “These wrestlers go back to their desi coaches even though we spend a lot on coaching at the National camp. These desi coaches persuade the wrestlers to consume prohibited substances assuring them that it would not reflect in the tests. Ultimately, as a country we lose out and face embarrassment.”
In its latest advisory, the WFI asked the wrestlers to exercise ‘highest degree of caution and personal responsibility.’ It reminded athletes that ignorance, complete reliance on coaches and inadvertent consumption of banned substances could not absolve anyone of responsibility. It also underlined that athletes in registered testing pools must provide accurate whereabouts information.
Sanjay regretted that the WFI’s awareness programmes bore little result so far. “Still, we will conduct more awareness programmes,” he said.
Published – August 28, 2026 08:47 pm IST
