Boxer Jaipal Singh provisionally barred following a failed drug test

National champion Jaipal Singh has been temporarily suspended after failing a dope test for a prohibited substance. According to reports, he tested positive for androgenic and anabolic steroids and other banned drugs at the national championships held in Shillong last month.

The Punjab fighter was suspended with immediate effect on December 27 and was not allowed to train with the national team. On December 1, the boxer defeated Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sagar Ahlawat against the run of play in the last minute of the +92kg bout at the National championships.

With a minute remaining in the final round, Punjab’s Jaipal, who had won bronze in the previous event, delivered a crucial right cross on the chin of Sagar, who had dominated the first two rounds with 5-0 verdicts. The knockout decision has been a blow for Sagar, who now have to rest for a month while the country’s finest boxers prepare for the Olympic qualification, which begins on February 29.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) banned Jaipal Singh with immediate effect on December 27, resulting in his expulsion from the national camp. Following his defeat, Sagar Ahlawat had to sit out for a month before returning to the national camp to train for the Olympic qualification.

Kartik, another Punjab fighter, tested positive for a prohibited drug last year, disqualifying him from the Strandja Memorial tournament. Kartik had won the 86kg national title in 2022 in Hisar. Sagar Ahlawat was also handed a show cause notice by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) last year for leaving the national camp at NIS Patiala without authorization. Along with Ahlawat, Amit Panghal (51kg) and Rohit Mor (57kg) received a notice.

At the Paris Olympics in 2024, there will be 248 boxers competing—124 men and the same number of women. Six quota spots are guaranteed to the hosts France, while 139 competitors qualified through continental tournaments.