Asian Games bound wrestler Mukul Dahiya provisionally suspended by NADA

India's Asian Games wrestling campaign has suffered a major setback with Mukul Dahiya provisionally suspended by NADA. The 86kg medal contender tested positive for Mephentermine just weeks before the Games in Japan.The WFI was reportedly not informed about Dahiya's suspension in advance. (Photo: Instagram)India's wrestling campaign at the 2026 Asian Games has suffered a major setback with freestyle wrestler Mukul Dahiya provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Dahiya, a strong medal contender in the 86kg category, tested positive for the stimulant Mephentermine just weeks before the Games in Japan.The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to begin on September 19, leaving limited time for the Indian contingent to deal with the development. Dahiya is currently in Yerevan, Armenia, where India's Asian Games-bound freestyle wrestlers are attending an exposure camp.Dahiya had emerged as one of India's promising wrestlers in the 86kg category after winning silver at the 2026 Asian Championships. His suspension now puts his Asian Games participation in serious doubt and could leave India without a wrestler in the category.According to a report by The New Indian Express, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was not informed about Dahiya's suspension in advance. The federation had already submitted its final Asian Games squad, leaving little time to consider a replacement. ANOTHER DOPING SETBACK FOR WRESTLINGDahiya's case comes only days after another Asian Games-bound wrestler, Greco-Roman competitor Deepanshu, was provisionally suspended following an out-of-competition test in the 130kg category.The WFI was able to respond in that case by replacing Deepanshu with Ronak Dahiya, who had finished behind him during the selection trials in Lucknow on May 31. This time, however, the federation appears to have far less room to act.WHY DAHIYA'S REPLACEMENT LOOKS UNLIKELYThe WFI had submitted its final list of selected wrestlers to the Indian Olympic Association in the first week of June. A late change to the 86kg entry therefore appears difficult at this stage.According to the report, the federation only realised that Dahiya had been provisionally suspended after his name appeared on an updated NADA suspension list on August 4. Unlike the Deepanshu case, the WFI was not alerted early enough to begin the replacement process.In Deepanshu's case, the federation was informed around July 20, giving it time to make the necessary changes before the deadline.The late discovery in Dahiya's case could therefore have a direct impact on India's medal prospects. Unless there is a change in the situation, India could head into the Asian Games without representation in the men's 86kg freestyle category.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 22, 2026 16:27 IST