Asian Games gold medallist Prathamesh Jawkar suspended until April 2028

Asian Games 2023 gold medallist archer Prathamesh Jawkar has accepted a two-year suspension until April 2028 for anti-doping whereabouts violations, ruling him out of the next Asian Games and likely the 2028 Olympics.

Prathamesh Jawkar, a gold medallist at the Asian Games 2023, has accepted a two-year suspension for violating anti-doping whereabouts rules, effectively ruling him out of major international competitions until April 2028.

According to Olympics.com, the 22-year-old compound archer agreed to the sanction imposed by the International Testing Agency (ITA), with the ban coming into effect from April 19. As a result, Jawkar will miss the upcoming Asian Games cycle and is also likely to be out of contention for the Olympic Games 2028.

Details of Anti-Doping Violation

Jawkar's suspension stems from three whereabouts filing failures within a 12-month period, recorded in January, July and October last year, constituting a violation under Article 2.4 of anti-doping regulations. Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are required to regularly update their location details on the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) to remain available for out-of-competition testing.

Archer Accepts Sanction, Admits 'Sheer Negligence'

Explaining his decision to accept the sanction, Jawkar said he opted against contesting the charge after seeking legal advice. He admitted the lapses were due to "sheer negligence," citing missed deadlines and communication issues, including turning off phone notifications and uncertainty around travel plans during an overseas trip.

Despite the setback, Jawkar remains determined to continue training during his suspension. "What has happened has happened now. I will not stop practising, and I will not lose hope," he said.

Major Setback for a Rising Career

Jawkar was part of India's gold medal-winning compound men's team at the Hangzhou Asian Games alongside Ojas Pravin Deotale and Abhishek Verma. He also enjoyed a stellar 2023 season, clinching individual gold at a World Cup stage in Shanghai and contributing to multiple podium finishes globally.

The suspension marks a significant interruption in the young archer's rising career, with his return to competitive action scheduled only after April 18, 2028.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)