Pakistani Wrestler Banned for 4 Years and Stripped of Medal: ITA Reveals Doping Scandal
Pakistani Wrestler Banned for Doping Violations
In a major blow to Pakistani sports, Pakistani wrestler Ali Asad has been banned for 4 years and stripped of his bronze medal from the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The International Testing Agency (ITA) conducted a thorough investigation and confirmed that Ali Asad was guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs during the event. This decision comes as part of a broader crackdown on doping within Pakistani sports.
Pakistani Wrestler Banned for 4 Years
The ITA’s investigation found that Ali Asad had indeed consumed prohibited substances, leading to his ban and the revocation of his bronze medal. Ali Asad, a Pakistani wrestler who initially won acclaim at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has now faced significant consequences due to his doping violations. The 4-year ban was imposed after Asad chose not to respond to the charges or participate in the hearing process.
An ITA official noted, “The case of the Pakistani wrestler highlights a serious problem in Pakistani sports. Wrestling and weightlifting are particularly troubled by doping issues, with many athletes from Pakistan facing similar allegations.”
Pakistani Wrestler Banned Amidst Broader Doping Concerns
This incident involving the Pakistani wrestler is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) also banned four Pakistani weightlifters after they were found guilty of doping. These athletes—Abdur Rehman, Sharjeel Butt, Ghulam Mustafa, and Farhan Amjad—were suspended when they failed to provide samples for drug testing, despite their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
Furthermore, Pakistani weightlifters Talha Talib and Abu Bakar Ghani were banned for two years for consuming banned drugs. Talha Talib, who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, will have his suspension lifted in February 2025.
The repeated doping scandals involving Pakistani athletes underscore a pervasive issue within the country’s sports community, emphasizing the need for improved integrity and anti-doping measures.
