In a major setback to India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, promising freestyle wrestler Mukul Dahiya has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for an anti-doping rule violation.
As reported by New Indian Express, emerging on August 22, 2026, confirms Dahiya tested positive for Mephentermine, a stimulant, casting a long shadow over India’s wrestling contingent just weeks before the continental multi-sport event kicks off in Japan on September 19.
Dahiya, a silver medallist at the 2026 Asian Championships and considered a strong contender in the 86kg category, was undergoing an exposure-cum-training camp in Yerevan, Armenia, with other Asian Games-bound freestyle wrestlers when the suspension came to light.
Doping Violation Details
The provisional suspension stems from Dahiya’s sample returning positive for the banned stimulant Mephentermine. This development puts his participation in the prestigious Asian Games in serious jeopardy and, critically, could lead to India having no representation in the 86kg freestyle wrestling category.
WFI Left in the Dark
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) reportedly had no prior intimation of Dahiya’s suspension. According to sources, the WFI only became aware of the provisional ban after Dahiya’s name appeared on an updated NADA suspension list on August 4.
The WFI had already submitted its final list of selected wrestlers to the Indian Olympic Association in the first week of June. This lack of advance notice from NADA makes it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for the federation to consider a replacement for Dahiya at this late stage.
Another Blow for Indian Wrestling
This is not an isolated incident for Indian wrestling in the lead-up to the 2026 Asian Games. Only days earlier, Greco-Roman wrestler Deepanshu, who was set to compete in the 130kg category, was also provisionally suspended following an out-of-competition dope test. In Deepanshu’s case, the WFI was informed around July 20, allowing them to replace him with Ronak Dahiya, who had finished behind him in the selection trials held in Lucknow on May 31.
The contrasting timelines of notification from NADA have created a more challenging scenario for Mukul Dahiya’s replacement, highlighting concerns within the WFI regarding communication protocols.
With the 2026 Asian Games just weeks away, the provisional suspension of Mukul Dahiya is a significant blow to India’s medal aspirations in wrestling. The immediate challenge for the Indian contingent and the WFI will be to navigate the repercussions of this doping violation and assess its broader impact on the team’s morale and performance in Japan.