Indian Karate Athlete Pranay Sharma and Others Provisionally Suspended by NADA

NADA Suspends International Medallists in Latest Dope Offenses

India’s premier karate athlete Pranay Sharma, a multi-medalist at the Commonwealth Championships, along with leading woman wrestler Radhika, are among several prominent athletes recently provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) pending formal hearings.

Refusal to Provide Sample

Pranay Sharma made history three years ago by becoming the first Indian to clinch a gold medal at the Karate 1 Series A event in Jakarta. Furthermore, he is a four-time South Asian gold medallist, a national champion, and the son of Karate India Organisation president, Hanshi Bharat Sharma. Despite his stellar record, Pranay was found guilty under NADA's Article 2.3 for being reluctant to provide a urine sample to dope control officers (DCOs), which constitutes a "refusal".

Other Implicated Athletes

In addition to Sharma, several other notable sports personalities face suspensions. Radhika, who competes globally in the women's 68kg category, alongside wrestlers Priyanka and Nitin, and volleyball player Shahbaj Ali, all returned positive tests for clenbuterol. This non-specified anabolic agent features on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) prohibited list due to its distinct muscle-building and fat-burning effects.

Separately, canoeist Shubham Kewat, a participant in the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and former National Games gold medallist, failed his test when traces of methyltestosterone were revealed in his urine sample.

Source Citation: The Times of India - NADA names dope offenders; international medallists among suspended.