India's wrestling contingent has been hit by doping setback just weeks before the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, set to begin on September 19. Mukul Dahiya, a freestyle wrestler considered a strong medal prospect in the 86kg category, has tested positive for the stimulant Mephentermine and has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).Dahiya, who claimed a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Championships, is currently in Yerevan, Armenia, training alongside other Asian Games-bound freestyle wrestlers at an exposure camp. With his suspension, India, in all likelihood, will now have no representation in the 86kg freestyle category at the Games.#News 🚨 Asian Games-bound wrestler Mukul Dahiya has been provisionally suspended by NADA after testing positive for Mephentermine, according to a report by The New Indian Express.The 2026 Asian Championships silver medallist competes in the 86kg freestyle category, which India… pic.twitter.com/yCSUr2NSyC— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) August 22, 2026A bitter joltWhat has added to the confusion is that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), according to a report from The New Indian Express, had no advance knowledge of the suspension. This is not an isolated case: days earlier, Greco-Roman wrestler Deepanshu (130kg), also part of the original Asian Games squad, was provisionally suspended after failing an out-of-competition test. In that instance, the WFI managed to swap him out, naming Ronak Dahiya — who had lost to Deepanshu in the Lucknow selection trials on May 31 — as his replacement.This time, there may be no such fix. The WFI had already submitted its final list of wrestlers to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and with the squad locked in, a late substitution appears unlikely.Left in the darkAccording to the report from The New Indian Express, the federation was left in the dark this time around. Typically, NADA flags a suspension to the…
This report has been adapted by the PurePlay Sports Desk from coverage by Google News — India Sports, The Bridge.