Sumit Malik, an Indian wrestler has decided to appeal a two-year suspension issued by the sport’s world governing body for failing a dope test, to compete in next year’s Commonwealth Games and defend his championship.
Malik, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was banned for two years by the sport’s world governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW) after his B sample also tested positive for a banned stimulant.
The 28-year-old, who had qualified for the Tokyo Games in the 125kg category, admitted to being responsible for the substance found in his body, but he will appeal to the UWW to have the penalty lowered to six months because the purpose was not to cheat.
According to sources close to the wrestler told PTI that they have sent a specific supplement as well as the medicines Malik took to the United States for testing, and if it is determined that the stimulant entered his body through one of them, it will be proven that the substance was eaten inadvertently.
“We are preparing for defence and are prepared to appeal the two-year suspension. In April, Malik was taking a multivitamin as well as a prescription to treat a possible Coronavirus. Perhaps the substance got in through one of them”, the source participating in Malik’s defence told PTI.
Malik’s suspension begins on June 3, and if he wins his appeal and the suspension is shortened to six months, he will be eligible to compete in the Birmingham CWG, which begins on July 28 next year.
Malik was banned after failing a dope test during the World Olympic Qualifier tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he made the 125kg division cut for the Tokyo Games. He stated that he merely took medications to treat a niggle in his right knee, which caused him to withdraw from the final bout in Sofia. Before the Olympic Qualifiers began at several locales, he had been suffering a knee ailment.
In April, he competed in the Asian Qualifiers in Almaty but was unable to get a quota. He then competed in the Asian Championships at the same venue but did not win a medal. Malik earned the Olympic quota by reaching the final at the World Olympic Qualifiers in Sofia in May.
