In a significant development for Indian athletics, veteran discus thrower and three-time Asian Games medallist Seema Antil Punia has been handed a 16-month suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a doping violation. This marks the third such sanction in the 42-year-old athlete's long and decorated career.
A Third Doping Sanction Ends Career
The suspension, which is effective from November 10, was listed on the official NADA website. While the agency has not publicly disclosed the specific prohibited substance involved, reports indicate it was a masking agent detected in a sample collected from the athlete in 2024. This latest ban casts a long shadow over the final chapter of Punia's competitive journey.
A Glittering Career Marred by Controversy
Seema Antil Punia's career is a tale of remarkable highs and consistent doping controversies. Her last major achievement was a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, which she won at the age of 40. This added to her impressive Asian Games haul, which includes a gold medal in 2014 (Incheon) and a bronze in 2018 (Jakarta).
However, her history with anti-doping rule violations is extensive. It began at the very start of her international career when she was stripped of a gold medal from the 2000 Junior World Championships after testing positive for pseudoephedrine. Later, she missed the 2006 Asian Games in Doha due to a positive test for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.
Wider Context of NADA's Action
The updated sanctions list from NADA also featured bans for several other Indian athletes, underscoring the ongoing challenge of doping in the country's sports ecosystem. The other athletes suspended include:
- Distance runner Pooja Yadav (four years)
- Shot putter Manjeet Kumar (six years)
- Middle-distance runner Nikesh Dhanraj Rathod (four years)
- Marathon runner Kuldeep Singh (four years)
- Woman steeplechaser Chavi Yadav (four years)
The 16-month ban for Punia, given her status and history, brings a controversial and storied athletic career to a likely end, highlighting the persistent issue of doping that continues to affect Indian track and field.
