インドのシャトル選手2名がドーピング陽性、1名は4年間の出場停止処分を受ける

In a surprising revelation, two promising Indian badminton players have been found guilty of doping. Men’s doubles player Krishna Prasad Garaga and Swetaparna Panda, who is competing in women’s doubles. Both the players have tested positive for banned substances. This unexpected development has raised concerns within the badminton community.

Garaga’s suspension and reaction

Krishna Prasad Garaga has been banned for four years after tests detected the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in his samples. These substances are prohibited for male athletes as they boost testosterone levels. Garaga, who has been teaming up with Sai Prateek, was seen as a promising player following behind the renowned duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

Garaga provided his sample during an out-of-competition test in Hyderabad in February. His suspension, according to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), began on July 31, 2024. “We were doing well as a doubles pair. We had beaten Satwik and Chirag and all of a sudden I get a letter from the NADA about my samples. No one in badminton has any idea about this so I continued playing,” Garaga shared. He has appealed against this suspension and awaits the outcome from NADA’s anti-doping appeal panel.

Swetaparna Panda’s positive test

Swetaparna Panda, who plays alongside her sister Rutuparna, tested positive for terbutaline during the Odisha Masters. This substance, a beta2-agonist, is known for enhancing muscle strength and endurance. Supported by the Odisha government, Swetaparna is in the process of responding to NADA’s notice.

Garaga speaks out

While Swetaparna hasn’t commented publicly, Garaga expressed his confusion and frustration over the doping case. “It is such a rare case. I don’t know many cases like mine in India. It is even rare in badminton so I kept playing and all of a sudden I get told that I have been suspended. It was confusing. I have appealed this suspension and am waiting to hear from the appeal panel,” Garaga said. His situation recalls that of weightlifter Sharandeep Singh, who faced a similar ban in 2013 for the same substances.