Indian wrestler Sumit Malik has decided to challenge the two-year ban imposed on him by the sport’s world body for failing a dope test and seek a lesser punishment so that he can compete in next year’s Commonwealth Games and defend his title.
The 2018 CWG Gold medallist Malik was on Friday banned for two years by the United World Wrestling (UWW) after his B sample also returned positive for a prohibited stimulant.
The 28-year-old, who had qualified for the Tokyo Games in the 125kg category, admitted that he is responsible for the substance found in his body but since the intention was not to cheat, he will appeal to the UWW that the punishment period is reduced to six months.
Malik’s ban starts from June 3 and if he wins his appeal and the ban is reduced to six months, he can compete in the Birmingham CWG, starting July 28 next year.