Narsingh Yadav Came in a Jaguar, Thanks PM Modi For Bailing Out a 'Poor' Athlete

Narsingh Yadav arrived in style on Monday evening to hear the decision of the National Anti-Doping Agency on the drugs controversy that has been worrying him for more than a month now.

The wrestler, armed with top lawyers and supporters, arrived at the NADA office in a white Jaguar and was soon celebrating his clean chit and fresh dreams to win an Olympic medal. The 26-year-old, the son of a milkman from eastern Uttar Pradesh, works in the Maharashtra government.

"This has been tougher than any bout in my career... I am motivated more than ever to win at Rio," Narsingh told NDTV.

Interestingly, when Narsingh arrived in Delhi from Sonepat to attend his first hearing last Wednesday, he was driven in a Maruti Alto car. His future uncertain after failing two dope tests, Narsingh's fate seemed sealed, but only just.

The news of the clean chit was broken to the media on Monday by Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh. Singh had used his political connection to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work behind the scenes for the harried wrestler.

"I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bailing out a poor wrestler like me. I also thank Brij Bhushanji. Whatever I am today is because of him," Narsingh told a packed news conference, often nibbling at laddus to keep the shutterbugs happy.

The Narsingh 'army' probably knew that the good news was a foregone conclusion considering the numerous heavyweights backing the wrestler's conspiracy theory.

And the good news came within minutes of the WFI chief meeting the NADA officials. Big boxes of sweets were ready for the celebration. The WFI boss looked a proud man, addressing the media with Narsingh beside him.

Narsingh was more composed. He did his round of thanksgiving but importantly, mentioned that he was regularly training despite three rounds of long-drawn hearing and mental stress.

"I have been training every day as I knew I was in the right. The support of my family was immense and I am fully focused on Rio," Narsingh told NDTV.

NADA's decision is expected to be reviewed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. India already have a back-up entry in Parveen Rana.

If allowed by WADA, Narsingh will be in Olympic action on August 19. By then, the wrestler should be able to flush himself of all the stress and agony that made his path to Rio a virtual hell.

(With inputs from Yash Chawla)