Former Asian Games champion Seema Punia faces 16-month suspension over doping breach

Former Asian Games discus throw champion Seema Punia has been suspended for 16 months for failing a doping test, according to the latest list of offenders released by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The ban came into force on 10 November, the date the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Board’s decision was made. NADA did not disclose the clause in question.

Punia, 42, had two previous doping violations, one at junior level at the age of 17. He last won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in October 2023. He had stated that he might retire after the 2024 Paris Olympics, but he did not qualify.

In a career spanning over two decades, Punia competed in four Olympics and five Commonwealth Games and won four CWG medals, including three silvers. His only gold at the Asian Games came at the 2014 Incheon edition. He also won a bronze medal in 2018 and a bronze medal at the junior world championships in 2002. His personal best throw of 64.84 meters was recorded in 2004.
He worked as the coach of para javelin thrower Sandeep Chaudhary, who won a silver medal at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi earlier this year.

NADA’s updated list also shows suspensions for several other athletes. Distance runner Pooja Yadav received a four-year ban. Shot putter Manjeet Kumar was banned for six years and middle distance runner Nikesh Dhanraj Rathod was banned for four years. Marathon runner Kuldeep Singh and hurdler Chhavi Yadav were also given four-year suspensions for separate violations.

(With inputs from PTI)