Mukul Dahiya provisionally suspended by NADA, Asian Games participation in doubt

Mukul Dahiya was provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for the stimulant Mephentermine, a development reported on August 22 that has put his place at the 2026 Asian Games in doubt while he is in Yerevan, Armenia attending an exposure camp.

Dahiya is an Indian freestyle wrestler in the 86kg category who won silver at the 2026 Asian Championships; the 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to begin on September 19. The Wrestling Federation of India had already submitted its final Asian Games squad to the Indian Olympic Association in the first week of June, limiting the time available to replace any athlete.

The positive test for Mephentermine came just weeks before the Games and led to a provisional suspension by NADA. Dahiya was part of India's camp in Yerevan at the time the suspension was reported.

According to a report in The New Indian Express, the WFI was not informed of Dahiya's provisional suspension in advance and only became aware after his name appeared on an updated NADA suspension list on August 4. That late discovery follows the federation's earlier submission of its final list, which the report says makes a late change to the 86kg entry difficult.

Dahiya's case follows the provisional suspension of another Asian Games-bound wrestler, Greco-Roman competitor Deepanshu, who tested positive in an out-of-competition test in the 130kg category. In Deepanshu's situation, the WFI was informed around July 20 and was able to replace him with Ronak Dahiya, who had finished behind Deepanshu at the selection trials in Lucknow on May 31.

The WFI’s earlier response in the Deepanshu case contrasts with the federation’s position in Dahiya’s matter, where the timing of the suspension discovery appears to leave far less room to act. The late timing of the updated NADA list and the prior submission of the final Asian Games squad have created uncertainty over the 86kg entry.

Unless there is a change in the situation, India could head into the Asian Games without representation in the men's 86kg freestyle category.