Shocking! Star Indian Player Faces 4-Year Ban Over Drug Violation

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India's javelin thrower and Asian Championship silver medalist D.P. Manu has received a major setback from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). After being found guilty in a doping case, he has been handed a four-year ban. The banned substance methyltestosterone was detected in Manu's sample, leading to this punishment.

The 25-year-old athlete had won a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Championships and finished sixth at the World Championships in Budapest. In April 2024, he won gold at the Indian Grand Prix-1 held in Bengaluru, throwing the javelin 81.91 meters. It was during this event that his sample tested positive for doping. The Athletics Drug Doping Panel (ADDP) imposes bans ranging from two to six years for athletes across various sports.

Even after testing positive, Manu participated in two more competitions. However, he was unable to meet the Paris Olympics 2024 qualifying mark of 85.50 meters. Despite that, his world ranking had kept him in contention for Olympic selection. But before the National Inter-State Athletics Championship in Panchkula, NADA temporarily suspended him.

According to the latest list released by NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, the final verdict in Manu’s case was announced on March 3. His four-year ban will be effective from June 24, 2024, which is when the suspension officially begins.

Due to this doping violation, the 25-year-old's dream of competing in the Olympics has been shattered. Manu’s personal best is 84.35 meters, achieved in June 2022 in Chennai, just slightly over the Olympic qualifying mark of 84.00 meters. In the men's javelin event, Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena have already qualified for the Paris Olympics. Neeraj Chopra is the reigning world champion, while Jena will also be competing with the goal of securing a medal at the Olympics.