Olympic-bound Indian wrestler, Sumit Malik, suspended after failing a dope test

With only weeks ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, India faces a big humiliation after one of the Indian wrestlers tested positive for a banned substance. Sumit Malik, an Olympic-bound Indian wrestler, has been temporarily suspended after failing a drugs test during recent Qualifiers in Bulgaria.

It's the second time a wrestler has been caught in a drug net before the Olympics, with the first being before the 2016 Rio Olympics, when Narsingh Pancham Yadav failed one and received a four-year ban.

Malik, a gold medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the 125kg category at the Bulgaria event, which was the final chance for wrestlers to win quotas. The 28-year-old ambition of competing in an event that begins on July 23 appears to be over.

"Yesterday, the UWW (United World Wrestling) informed the Wrestling Federation of India that Sumit failed the drug test. And now he must submit his B sample on 10th June" as per a WFI source.

Reportedly, Malik has been recovering from a knee injury sustained during the national camp, which occurred before the Olympic Qualifiers began at various locations. 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 site, though came away with no medals.

Notably, Malik earned the quota by reaching the final in the World Olympic Qualifiers in Sofia in May, which he forfeited due to the same ailment. Further, Malik planned to forego the WFI's Tokyo-bound group's exposure trip to Poland in order to allow his ailing knee to fully heal before the Olympics.

"He must have taken something without realising it. Perhaps he was taking Ayurvedic medicine to cure his wounded knee, which contains prohibited chemicals "according to the source

"However, these wrestlers should have been cautious because they are aware of the risks associated with using such medications," he continued.

In fact, if Malik's B sample is similarly positive, he might be kicked out of the sport.

Although he has the opportunity to appeal the suspension, it is evident that by the time the hearing is held and a decision is reached, he will be unable to compete in the Olympics.

India qualified for eight wrestling quotas for the Tokyo Olympics, with four men and as many women wrestling.