Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak seeks expedited NADA hearing to pursue Asian Games berth

On September 24, 2026 in Kolkata, Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak (67kg) asked the National Anti-Doping Agency for an expedited hearing as he seeks late inclusion in India’s Asian Games squad. The Indian wrestling contingent is scheduled to depart for Japan on Saturday.

Deepak was removed from the Asian Games squad after an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance Clomifene in a sample collected during the selection trials in Lucknow on May 31. Acting on a Delhi High Court order to consider permissible relief under the extant policy, the Ministry noted that Deepak had not been provisionally suspended for the adverse analytical finding and advised the athlete to request NADA to conduct an expedited hearing and “obtain a determination regarding his anti-doping status and eligibility to participate in the Asian Games.”

Two other wrestlers had earlier returned positive tests: Mukul Dahiya (freestyle 86kg) and Deepanshu (Greco-Roman 130kg). As a result of those positive tests and Deepak’s adverse analytical finding, India lost three wrestling berths out of a total of 18.

Deepak has formally approached NADA seeking the expedited hearing referenced by the Ministry. The Ministry has stated that, if it receives NADA’s "clearance", it would consider including Deepak’s name in the Asian Games contingent.