Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak is making a final attempt to secure his place in the Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games. The 67kg athlete, who was previously removed from the squad following a positive test for the banned substance Clomifene, has formally approached the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to request an urgent hearing of his case.
The urgency of the situation stems from the Indian wrestling team's scheduled departure for a training stint in Japan this Saturday. Deepak’s move follows a directive from the Delhi High Court, which instructed the relevant authorities to consider potential relief for the wrestler under existing policies, noting that he had not been provisionally suspended despite the adverse analytical finding.
Path to Reinstatement Remains Uncertain
Following the court's intervention, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports advised Deepak to seek an expedited determination from NADA regarding his anti-doping status. The Ministry has indicated that it would be open to reconsidering his inclusion in the Asian Games squad, provided he receives formal clearance from the anti-doping body.
The controversy surrounding Deepak’s eligibility began after he returned a positive result for Clomifene during the Asian Games selection trials held in Lucknow on May 31. His case is part of a broader doping issue affecting the national wrestling setup. Previously, two other athletes—freestyle wrestler Mukul Dahiya in the 86kg category and Greco-Roman wrestler Deepanshu in the 130kg category—also returned positive tests for banned substances.
These developments have had a significant impact on India's representation at the tournament. As a result of these positive tests, India has forfeited three of its original 18 wrestling berths. With the team preparing to travel, the window for a resolution remains narrow, leaving the wrestler’s participation in the Games entirely dependent on the outcome of the requested
