NADA postpones verdict on wrestler Narsingh's doping case

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on Saturday postponed the verdict over wrestler Narsingh Yadav's dope case till Monday, continuing the ordeal of the Rio Olympics-bound grappler.

NADA Director General Naveen Aggarwal said that the NADA panel couldn't reach the conclusion on Saturday. "No decision could be taken today," he said.

Aggarwal said that the NADA panel is still going through all the documents and records.

Narsingh's chances of participating in the upcoming Rio Games came under a cloud last Sunday when he returned a positive result for a dope test conducted by the NADA on June 25.

The 26-year-old's 'B' sample also tested positive for a banned substance, jeopardising his chances of competing in what will be his second Summer Olympic Games.

Following this, the Mumbai-based grappler, who was selected to represent the country in the men's 74kg freestyle category ahead of two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, was handed a provisional suspension.

He ran into further trouble on Wednesday after it was announced that a second test conducted on July 5 has also returned a positive result.

Narsingh's roommate at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Sonepat, Sandeep Tulsi Yadav, also failed a NADA dope test on Monday and according to sources, both the grapplers have tested positive for the same banned substance -- methandienone.

Narsingh had claimed of a conspiracy to frame him and had filed a police report in this regard, although he refrained from naming anyone.

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhishan Sharan Singh had alleged on Tuesday that two junior wrestlers from the Chhatarsaal Stadium had mixed banned substances in his food.

However, it is still unclear whether Narsingh will go to the Rio Games, starting on August 5, and India will be represented by Parveen Rana in his place.

--IANS

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