Pak Wrestler doped at Commonwealth Games; stripped off Bronze

Islamabad: Pakistan Wrestler Ali Asad was stripped of his Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 bronze medal in the 57kg category after he tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs, IANS reported.

Pakistan had won five medals, two silvers and three bronzes in the event.

Ali had beaten New Zealand's Suraj Singh in 55 seconds to win the third medal in the men's freestyle 57kg wrestling event at Birmingham CWG.

Ali had undergone the test before leaving Pakistan for the CWG, which came positive on Thursday.

The News quoted a source, "He has used banned drugs to enhance performance and thus has been stripped of the medal. The organisers, however, have given him the option to go for the B Samples testing."

The News further said that tests conducted by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) also had turned positive, but the results were declared only recently.

The PSB also withheld the cash incentive awarded to him by the Pakistan government.

"We had some information on his being declared positive. That is why we have held his amount of Rs one million that otherwise would have been his for winning bronze at the Games," The News quoted a PSB official.

However, Ali Asad told The News, "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."

"Yes, I have come to know about it. Let me consult with my associates and other officials. I cannot say anything more on it at the moment," he added.

The News reports that Ali Asad has decided to challenge the current results, going for the B samples tests.