Another doping shocker for India: Asian Games-bound wrestler Mukul provisionally suspended

CHENNAI: Ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, scheduled to commence on September 19, India received another sizeable doping jolt as a medal potential in wrestling tested positive for a stimulant (Mephentermine).

Key points

• In a similar incident India's weightlifting contingent's quota was reduced by one due to Anti Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
• The WFI was informed regarding Deepanshu around July 20 after which it obtained the wrestler replaced.
• The list has names of a number of high profile athletes like heptathlete Swapna Barman.
• Interestingly, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is unaware of the development.
• We have spoken to the coaches in Armenia and they informed us that Mukul has not been training for the past three-four days.

Interestingly, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is unaware of the development. A few days ago, another selected wrestler Deepanshu (Greco-Roman, 130kg) was provisionally suspended by the NADA for failing an out-of-competition dope test. The WFI named him in the long list but replaced him with Ronak Dahiya. This person lost to Deepanshu in the selection trials held in Lucknow on May 31. Nevertheless, the final list has been sent by the WFI to the IOA and a replacement looks impossible. Notably, the suspension list has been accessed by this daily.

"Usually, we obtain the intimation along with the athlete in question but this time the NADA didn't inform us. We learnt that the list was updated on August 4. Had the NADA informed us, we could have replaced Mukul but now that weight category, in all probability, will have no athlete from the country, " a WFI source informed this daily. According to It should be, the federation sent the list of selected wrestlers to the Indian Olympic Association in the first week of June.

For context, the WFI was informed regarding Deepanshu around July 20 after which it obtained the wrestler replaced.

Wrestler Ronak in Asiad squad after trials' winner fails dope test Mephentermine is a sympathomimetic medication applied to treat severe low blood pressure (hypotension), particularly during spinal anesthesia or surgical procedures. It works by stimulating the heart and narrowing blood vessels to rapidly raise and stabilize blood pressure.

Notably, the list has names of a number of high profile athletes like heptathlete Swapna Barman. This person lately confirmed her retirement. Nevertheless, Mukul's suspension will hurt India a lot at the continental showpiece event as wrestling is considered one of the strongest disciplines of the country.

"We have spoken to the coaches in Armenia and they informed us that Mukul has not been training for the past three-four days. He is looking off-colour, the coaches informed us which means he knew concerning the test result. But that doesn't serve the purpose. Timely information could have saved the government's funds as well as we would not have sent him to Armenia, " went on the WFI source.

Notably, in a similar incident India's weightlifting contingent's quota was reduced by one due to Anti Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The team comprising 12 lifters trained in Birmingham for the CWG but the quota reduction meant only 11 could compete while Dilbag Singh. This person was supposed to compete in the 94kg weight category, was withdrawn from the squad at the last moment.

For now, another doping shocker for India: Asian Games-bound wrestler Mukul provisionally suspended remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.