Star wrestler Divya Kakaran gets four-year ban for doping

Wrestler Divya Kakaran, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and two-time Asian champion, has been banned for four years by the National-Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) for testing positive for a banned substance, Methyltestosterone, in an out of competition test more than 15 months ago.

The sanction, dated March 31 last, was shared in public only on Friday. Her sample was collected on December 15, 2023, It tested positive for metabolites of Methyltestosterone. NADA notified her provisional suspension on January 10, 2024. An ADDP handed heryear ineligibility period dating back to the day she was provisionally suspended.

Meanwhile, Anjali Kumar and Hemraj Gurjar, who competed in the 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships a few weeks after being provisionally suspended for potential Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV), have paid a big price for their transgression as ADDPs decided to start their sanctions from the date of decision.

In the absence of reasoned orders in public domain, those who have tracked anti-doping matters over several years deduced that ADDP’s decision to start Anjali Kumari’s six-year ban on March 31 and Hemraj Gurjar’s four-year ban on April 20 would serve a stern reminder to those seeking to compete during their period of ineligibility.

Typically, panels can start the period of ban from the date of provisional suspension. Anjali Kumari was given a ban of six years as her sample showed multiple prohibited substances, Stanozolol and CERA (Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta). Hemraj Gurjar had tested positive for Darbepoetin (dEPO) and was declared ineligible to take part in sport for four years. 

Anjali Kumari, Hemraj Gurjar and Divya Karkaran’s names are among the list of 12 athletes who have been sanctioned between March 28 and April 20 this year. The others include Ayush Sai and Thokchom Yaisana Chanu (Boxing), Manish Gulia (Kabaddi), Omkar Shankar Chougale (Wrestling), Amita Devi Kotwol (Powerlifting), Vishal Grewal (Swimming), Mishti Kajla (Athletics) and two minors.

Rising incidence of doping among minors

Among the minors is a track and field athlete who has been sanctioned a six-year ineligibility period and is the second under-aged athlete to be handed the longest ban by an ADDP. It is not clear if it is for multiple banned substances showing up in the track and field athlete’s sample or for a second ADRV. 

While each doping positive is much more than merely an addition to the alarming statistics, it is of great concern that the number of minors who test positive for banned substances is growing. As many as 42 minors form more than 8 per cent of athletes either on provisional suspension or serving agreed sanctions or have been banned by ADDPs. 

At the moment, because NADA chooses not to name the minors, only the athlete’s own National Sports Federation will be aware of the athlete’s identity.  At a time when instances of athletes competing despite being on provisional suspension is rising, it will be impossible for officials of other disciplines to know if a minor athlete has been banned or not. 

There can be no doubt that NADA must find a mechanism to prevent these banned athletes from competing in other disciplines. It must also have a method in which to share more details of an athlete’s offence when posting a list of athletes sanctioned by ADDPs. Nothing is gained by not sharing even the prohibited substances found in the samples of the banned athletes.

Five athletes admitted to committing anti-doping rule violations after their samples tested positive for multiple prohibited substances and agreed with the National Anti-Doping Agency to being sanctioned for five years, securing a reduction in the ban period with their ‘early’ admission.

The number of athletes who are serving sanctions under case resolution agreements with NADA has risen to 233. While this has helped reduce the load on the ADDPs, it is significant that there are more than a hundred cases pending either such resolution or awaiting adjudication by ADDPs.