Big blow for India as wrestler Deepak fails drug test and banned from Asian Games

Indian wrestling suffered another setback ahead of the Asian Games, with Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak dropped from the national contingent after returning an adverse doping result. His withdrawal further reduces India’s representation at the continental event, according to a PTI report.

Deepak’s case comes after two other Indian wrestlers, Mukul Dahiya in the Men’s Freestyle 86kg category and Deepanshu in the 130kg Greco-Roman divisionthey also lost places in the Asian Games squad due to separate doping cases.

The 25-year-old wrestler from Delhi has earned a place in the Indian squad in recent months after an impressive run. Deepak, who works with the Indian Postal Service, became the first wrestler from the department to qualify for the Asian Games. At the selection trials in Lucknow on 31 May, he emerged as an unexpected winner after a medal-winning performance in the Federation Cup.

According to a notice issued by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), the urine sample provided by Deepak during the selection tests showed an atypical finding for clomiphene. The substance is banned in the S4 category of hormones and metabolic modulators on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2026 Prohibited List.

NADA said the sample result was first classified as an atypical finding on July 23. After conducting an investigation and interviewing Deepak on August 17, the agency proceeded with the matter as having an adverse analytical finding.

Clomiphene is a drug commonly used to treat infertility in both men and women.

DEEPAK NOT YET SUSPENDED

The NADA announcement clarified that Deepak was not temporarily suspended and remains eligible to compete unless a suspension or period of ineligibility is imposed at a later date.

However, if an anti-doping violation is proven, his results from the sample collection date of May 31, 2026 may be disqualified. A violation will be confirmed if the B-sample also detects clomiphene or if Deepak chooses to forego the B-sample analysis.

WFI CANNOT TAKE RISK

A WFI official said the federation decided to remove Deepak from the team to avoid the risk of a hefty penalty. If he tests positive during the Asian Games, the world governing body UWW could fine the federation up to Rs 20 crore.

“Deepak really surprised the coaches by winning the trials. He was never part of the national camp, so he was never tested enough. He got to the trials phase thanks to a medal at the Federation Cup.”

“We’re taking him off the staff,” the official said.

According to the NADA notice, Deepak did not mention the use of any drugs associated with the banned substance in his doping control form. The agency also noted that he did not provide supporting documents, such as bills or proof of purchase, for the supplements he allegedly took.

NADA further stated that Deepak did not have a therapeutic exemption (TUE) for clomiphene and found no irregularities in testing or laboratory procedures that could account for the result. The agency concluded that the wrestler did not provide a satisfactory explanation for the substance detected in his sample.

Deepak can still challenge the finding by asking for his B-sample to be tested. He has seven days from receipt of the notification to submit a request.

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Published on:

09 Sep 2026 22:17 IST