Tokyo hopeful Neeraj of Haryana suspended for failed dope test

New Delhi, December 2

Haryana woman boxer Neeraj (57kg), who was among the probables for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has been provisionally suspended after failing a dope test. 

The 24-year-old tested positive for performance-enhancing drug Ligandrol and “other anabolic steroids”. A former national medallist, Neeraj won the bronze at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria and the gold at a tournament in Russia this year. She was also the gold medallist at this year’s India Open in Guwahati. Her sample was collected on September 24 and was tested at Qatar’s Anti-doping laboratory, which gave its findings earlier last month. “As per the adverse analytical finding report dt. 03/11/2019 received from Anti-Doping Lab, Qatar, Ms. Neeraj was found positive for presence of LGD-4033 (Ligandrol), Other Anabolic Agents (S1 – WADA Prohibited List 2019),” the National Anti-Doping Agency stated. Neeraj has accepted the findings and has declined a B sample test. A Boxing Federation of India official said, “We got to know last week and even though no action has been initiated against her so far, she has taken leave from the national camp and we are not aware where she is right now.” Neeraj had recently represented India at the World Championships in Russia, bowing out after a preliminary round loss. — PTI