Indian weightlifter Jasvir Kaur has been sanctioned with a four year ban from 28 June 2017 at a hearing on 21 March, the National Anti-Doping Agency of India’s (NADA India) newsletter revealed. It is understood that Kaur, who won gold in the -63kg category at the 2015 national weightlifting championships, is the first Indian athlete to be sanctioned after returning an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for human growth hormone (HGH).

NADA India conducted 233 anti-doping tests during March 2018, and provisionally suspended five athletes (listed below). This included Pradeep Kumar, who was suspended after testing positive at the All India National Kabaddi Championship, which concluded in January.

• Mr. Sachin; volleyball*
• Mr. Aman; boxing (54kg)
• Mr. Binod Rajak; basketball
• Mrs. Purnima Chanu Leitrim; weightlifting (58kg)
• Mr. Abhimanyu; wrestling
• Mr. Pradeep Kumar; Kabaddi
* provisional suspension dates back to 23 February

NADA India also heard an appeal from boxer Rajan Mumgai, who was sanctioned after testing positive for methyl-1-testosterone on 5 September last year. His four year ban was upheld by NADA India’s Anti-Doping Appeal Panel (ADAP).