Sumit Malik was looking to make his Olympics debut this term. However, he has been handed a two-year ban for substance abuse and would miss out on the global event. Meanwhile, he has a week to appeal his decision.
Indian wrestler Sumit Malik suffered a setback ahead of Tokyo Olympics, as he has been handed a two-year ban by the United World Wrestling after failing a dope test. According to reports, Malik had used a prohibited stimulant, while both his samples tested positive for the same.
Meanwhile, he has a week to appeal the verdict. Last month, Malik qualified for the 125kg category wrestling through the World Olympic Qualifier event held in Sofia.
"Sumit Malik's B sample has given the same result and the UWW has banned him for two years from June 3. He has a week to respond. He can call for a hearing or accept the sanction," a Wrestling Federation of India source was quoted as saying to PTI.
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In the meantime, Malik's sources have confirmed that the decision regarding challenging the decision will be taken soon. "We are discussing the matter with our lawyer," said a close source of Malik.
Logically analysing the situation, it would be WFI's duty to challenge the decision since Malik had consumed a stimulant unwittingly, and it wasn't a steroid. He was recently suffering from a knee injury and had accidentally consumed the stimulant through a medicine.
However, although challenging the decision could aid him, it would still mean that he would miss out on the Olympics since the revised verdict takes around a month to be revealed. Malik becomes the second Indian wrestler to be banned before the Olympics, while Narsingh Pancham Yadav had also suffered a similar fate before the 2016 Rio Games.
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