CWG 2026: Birmingham silver medallist Tulika Maan withdrawn from Glasgow after NADA suspension
New Delhi, July 24
India's Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tulika Maan has been withdrawn from the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency for three whereabouts failures within 12 months, dealing a major blow to India's judo campaign.
The 27-year-old athlete, who won a silver medal in the women's +78kg event at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, was one of India's leading medal hopes at the Glasgow Games before she was dropped from the squad as a result of the suspension. According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, Maan could now receive a potential two-year ban.
The fact that she has withdrawn comes less than a day after another Indian judoka, Arun Kumar, was provisionally suspended as a result of a positive out-of-competition doping test, which is the second blow suffered by the Indian judo team before the Games.
Arun Kumar, who was supposed to take part in the men's -73kg event, failed an out-of-competition drug test carried out by NADA and as a result was suspended and dropped from the squad.
The Indian judo team has not yet set off for Glasgow, the matches in the country being scheduled to start on July 31. Although it was expected to leave on July 27, the two consecutive suspensions have interfered with India's preparations.
Maan's case is different from one involving a positive doping test since it arises from the anti-doping whereabouts system. According to WADA rules, a violation of the anti-doping rules takes place when there are three filing failures, tests that are missed, or a combination of both within any 12 months. Athletes who are in the Registered Testing Pool must regularly update their training locations and accommodation information and have to provide a daily 60-minute time slot during which they are available for out-of-competition testing. Failure to comply may lead to disciplinary measures, including suspension.
Maan is one of India's most successful judokas in recent times. In addition to winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, she took part in the 2024 Paris Olympics and also competed at the 2022 and 2024 World Championships.
India has selected a squad of 14 judokas for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games following its achievement of three medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Two judokas suspended back-to-back? Something is seriously wrong with how our athletes are being managed. Either the federation is not educating them properly, or there's a systemic issue. This isn't just bad luck - it's poor administration. 😡
Heartbreaking for Tulika. Three whereabouts failures in 12 months is careless, but she's only human. The WADA system is so strict - 60 minutes daily window, constant updates. Our athletes aren't robots, yaar. Still, she should have been more disciplined. Big blow for India's medal hopes 😔
Honestly, I'm tired of seeing Indian athletes getting suspended for doping or whereabouts violations. We have so much talent but zero discipline. Tulika went to Paris Olympics but can't manage her schedule? The federation needs to hire proper support staff for every athlete. This is embarrassing for Indian sports.
Not a good look for Indian judo at all. Two suspensions before even leaving for Glasgow? First Arun Kumar with a positive test, now Tulika with whereabouts failures. Our preparation is completely ruined. Hope the remaining 12 judokas can still bring home some medals and salvage some pride 🥋
This is a very strict rule. WADA expects athletes to update location every day? That's tough when you're traveling for competitions or training camps. But at the same time, other athletes manage it properly. Tulika made a mistake, but I feel the punishment is too harsh for a first-time offender regarding whereabouts. Two-year ban potential is crazy.
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