Indian Wrestler Sumit Malik To Challenge 2-Year Ban And Seek Lesser Punishment | Wrestling News
Indian wrestler Sumit Malik has decided to challenge the two-year ban imposed on him by the sport’s world body for failing a dope test and seek a lesser punishment so that he can compete in next year’s Commonwealth Games and defend his title. The 2018 CWG gold medallist Malik was on Friday banned for two years by the sport’s world governing body United World Wrestling (UWW) after his B sample also returned positive for a prohibited stimulant. The 28-year-old, who had qualified for the Tokyo Games in the 125kg category, admitted that he is responsible for the substance found in his body but since the intention was not to cheat, he will appeal to the UWW that the punishment period is reduced to six months.
Sources close to the wrestler told PTI that they have sent a specific supplement to the USA for test and also the medicines Malik took and if it is established that the stimulant entered his body through one of those, then it will be proved that the substance was consumed unknowingly.
“We are preparing for defence and ready to challenge the two-year-ban. Malik was taking a supplement and also a medicine to cure suspected Coronavirus in April. Maybe the substance entered through one of those. We will seek a lesser punishment,” said a source, who is involved in preparing Malik’s defence.
“We have asked for some more information from the WADA. The quantity of the substance found in Malik’s A sample is negligible. We have asked for details of the B sample as well. So all of it shows that Malik is innocent. He does not deserve a two-year ban,” added the source.
Malik’s ban starts from June 3 and if he wins his appeal and the ban is reduced to six months, he can compete in the Birmingham CWG, starting July 28 next year.
