Wrestler Deepak fails dope test, ruled out of Asian Games

Indian wrestling has suffered another setback ahead of the Asian Games, with Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak being removed from the national contingent after returning an adverse doping result. His withdrawal further reduces India's representation at the continental event, according to a report from PTI.

Deepak's case comes after two other Indian wrestlers, Mukul Dahiya in the men's freestyle 86kg category and Deepanshu in the Greco-Roman 130kg division, also lost their places in the Asian Games squad due to separate doping cases.

The 25-year-old Delhi wrestler had earned a place in the Indian team after an impressive run in recent months. Deepak, who works with the Indian postal service, became the first wrestler from the department to qualify for the Asian Games. He had emerged as an unexpected



winner at the selection trials in Lucknow on May 31, following a medal-winning performance at the Federation Cup.

According to a notice issued by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), a urine sample provided by Deepak during the selection trials showed an atypical finding for clomifene. The substance is prohibited under the S4 category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators in the 2026 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

NADA stated that the sample result was first classified as an atypical finding on July 23. After conducting an investigation and interviewing Deepak on August 17, the agency proceeded with the matter as an Adverse Analytical Finding.

Clomifene is a medication commonly used in the treatment of infertility in both men and women.