NEW DELHI: Indian wrestling has suffered a doping setback ahead of the Asian Games, with Greco-Roman wrestler Deepanshu provisionally suspended by the National AntiDoping Agency (NADA) after failing an out-of-competition dope test for the prohibited anabolic steroid stanozolol.Deepanshu, who competes in the 130kg category, had won the Asian Games selection trials in Lucknow and was part of the country’s squad for the continental showpiece. However, his positive test has resulted in his removal from the national camp and squad.Ronak Dahiya, who had lost to Deepanshu in the trials and was named as reserve, has now been drafted into the 130kg category.It has been learnt that Deepanshu’s sample was collected by dope control officers at the Lucknow camp. The sample was subsequently tested at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), where it returned positive for stanozolol.The latest doping case is particularly serious as it is Deepanshu’s second offence. He had earlier served a threeyear ban for a doping violation involving the same prohibited substance.He returned to competition in 2025 and subsequently earned a place in the national camp. As a repeat offender, Deepanshu faces a potentially lengthy ban of up to eight years, which could put his career in jeopardy.His suspension has left Indian wrestling to deal with an embarrassing doping blow during a crucial phase of its preparations for the Games.Meanwhile, Ronak has begun training alongside the main Games squad and will travel to Uzbekistan along with other members of the Greco-Roman contingent for training-cum-exposure trip.The fresh doping setback comes on the heels of disciplinary action against Indian weightlifters selected for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Three of the four lifters who tested positive for prohibited substances ahead of the Games have admitted their violations and accepted bans ranging from three to four years. Their suspensions have also extinguished their Asian Games hopes.
