UWW suspends Bajrang Punia till end of year following NADAS provisional suspension

The United World Wrestling (UWW) on Thursday took cognisance of the National Anti-Doping Agency’s decision to impose a provisional suspension on wrestler Bajrang Punia for an alleged rule violation.

As per the routine anti-doping process, the world body updated the Tokyo Olympics medallist’s status, saying he was handed a provisional ban until the end of the year.

It must be noted that NADA’s panel hearing is yet to take place. Bajrang could be exonerated if the panel is satisfied with his explanation or else he could be punished with a ban of up to two years.

Bajrang has been accused of refusing to provide his urine sample when a dope-control officer from NADA approached him after his bout at the selection trials for the Olympic qualification tournament in March.