Pakistani wrestler loses CWG bronze after testing positive for drugs

Ali will now be given a chance to defend himself by appearing before an inquiry committee

September 23, 2022
Ali Asad — Twitter

LAHORE: A positive drug test result caused Pakistani wrestler Ali Asad to lose the bronze medal he had won for his nation in the 57kg division at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.

In the wrestling competition at the CWG in Birmingham in August, Ali defeated Suraj Singh of New Zealand in just 55 seconds, giving Pakistan a third medal to go along with its two silvers and two bronzes.

But it was discovered that the wrestler had utilised illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Before leaving Pakistan for the CWG, the athlete had a test done to check for the presence of prohibited performance-enhancing drugs, which came back positive, it was revealed Thursday.

Though he was part of a group of nine medal-winners who received their cash incentive during a ceremony held at PM House recently, his amount has been withheld by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

This was the case with the drug test taken during the CWG. However, Ali requested a B sample test but it also came back positive.

"I have never deliberately used any performance-enhancing drugs. I am surprised at how I have been declared positive. I would prefer going for the B samples tests," The News had quoted Ali Asad as saying when asked about his initial test results.

Ali will now be given a chance to defend himself by appearing before an inquiry committee but is in danger of being banned for four years for the violation.

Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.

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