The United World Wrestling (UWW) on Thursday took cognisance of the National Anti-Doping Agency’s decision to impose a provisional suspension on wrestler Bajrang Punia for an alleged rule violation.

As per the routine anti-doping process, the world body updated the Tokyo Olympics medallist’s status, saying he was handed a provisional ban until the end of the year even though the duration of the suspension – if at all it stays – isn’t yet decided.

The UWW stated on Bajrang’s profile on its website: ‘Suspended for the following reason until 31st Dec 31. He has been provisionally suspended by NADA Ind for alleged ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation).’

It must be noted that NADA’s panel hearing is yet to take place. Bajrang could be exonerated if the panel is satisfied with his explanation or else he could be punished with a ban of up to two years. 

Bajrang has been accused of refusing to provide his urine sample when a dope-control officer from NADA approached him after his bout at the selection trials for the Olympic qualification tournament in March. 

In his reply to NADA, the wrestler has contended that he did not refuse to provide a sample but demanded a reply to his earlier email in which he alleged that the body had sent expired kits to collect his sample last December.