In an ideal world, politics and sport are not meant to be mixed. But then the world of Indian wrestling was far from ideal in 2024 with Vinesh Phogat's Olympic dejection and the never-ending administrative chaos pulling down a once flourishing sport

Bajrang Punia has been suspended for four years for refusing to provide a urine sample for anti-doping testing during the trials for the national team in March 2024

The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling and apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to.

Malik's heartfelt plea highlights the ongoing issues within the Wrestling Federation of India and the need for immediate government intervention to ensure a safe and fair environment for athletes.

With very few days left for the competition to begin, the wrestlers also tried to file a petition in the court but arrived late.

WFI withdrew the selection trials notice and the court, on October 4, decided not to proceed with the contempt petition.

Vinesh Phogat responded to allegations from Sakshi Malik that the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh developed cracks when "people close to" Vinesh began to fill her mind with "greed".

Sakshi Malik has said that Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia's decision to accept exemption from the Asian Games trials last year hit the image of their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Asian Games bronze-winner shot-putter Kiran Baliyan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) for testing positive for a banned substance as a slew of athletes across sports figured in the latest list of dope offenders

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the National Anti-Doping Agency's (NADA) stand on a petition filed by wrestler Bajrang Punia challenging his suspension.