The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has officially withdrawn Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak from the upcoming Asian Games contingent following a failed doping test. The 25-year-old athlete, who represents the Indian postal service, was set to compete in the continental event before his sample returned an adverse finding for a prohibited substance.
This development marks a significant setback for the Indian wrestling squad, which has now lost three quota places due to doping-related issues. Deepak joins freestyle wrestler Mukul Dahiya and Greco-Roman heavyweight Deepanshu on the list of athletes removed from the team, further depleting India's representation at the Games.
Details of the Anti-Doping Violation
According to a notification from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), the issue stems from a urine sample collected during the selection trials in Lucknow on May 31, 2026. The sample returned an atypical finding for clomifene, a substance categorized under S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List. Following an investigation and an interview with the wrestler on August 17, NADA reclassified the case as an Adverse Analytical Finding.
While NADA has not yet issued a provisional suspension, the agency noted that Deepak failed to declare any relevant medication on his doping control form. Furthermore, the athlete did not provide purchase records or invoices for dietary supplements he claimed to have consumed. NADA confirmed there was no Therapeutic Use Exemption for the substance, and the wrestler has seven days to request a B-sample analysis to challenge the initial findings.
WFI Response and Squad Impact
The WFI stated that the decision to remove Deepak was a precautionary measure to avoid potential penalties from the world governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW). Officials indicated that a positive test during the Asian Games could result in a fine of Rs 20 lakh for the federation.
Federation officials expressed frustration regarding the timing of the test results, noting that if they had been informed of the adverse findings earlier, they could have selected replacement athletes to fill the quota spots. A WFI representative highlighted that Deepak had not been part of the national camp and had earned his spot through a surprise performance at the Federation Cup and subsequent trials. In response to the recurring doping issues, the federation has announced plans to implement a stricter anti-doping policy to ensure better compliance among athletes moving forward.
