Tulika Maan Withdrawn from CWG 2026 Over Anti-Doping Violation

Indian judoka Tulika Maan, a silver medalist in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been withdrawn from the ongoing Glasgow edition after being handed a provisional suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for three whereabouts failures in the last 12 months.

Maan, who competes in the +78kg category, was a strong medal prospect in Glasgow. However, her suspension has ruled her out of the competition. According to NADA rules, three whereabouts failures in a 12-month period constitute an anti-doping rule violation, which can result in a two-year ban.

The 27-year-old from Delhi is the second judoka to have been withdrawn from Glasgow CWG. On Thursday, Arun Kumar, who competes in the men's -73kg category, was pulled out of the Games after failing an out-of-competition dope test. He was handed a provisional suspension by the NADA for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Maan is one of the most accomplished judokas in the country, having represented India in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 and 2024 World Championships. The Indian judo team has not yet left for the Games, with their competition schedule set to kick off on July 31.

Under the World Athletics Anti-Doping (WADA) rules, athletes included in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) must provide their whereabouts information, including their overnight location, training locations, and a 60-minute window for testing each day. Failure to comply with these obligations results in a whereabouts failure.

The Indian judo team had originally approved a 14-strong team, featuring seven men and seven women, for the Glasgow CWG. The country had clinched three medals in the previous edition of the Commonwealth Games, including two silver and one bronze.

Maan's withdrawal is a significant blow to India's medal hopes in judo. The Indian team will now have to regroup and focus on the remaining competitions. The Glasgow CWG is set to continue until August 9, with the judo competition scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 4.

The incident highlights the importance of adhering to anti-doping rules and regulations. The NADA and WADA have strict rules in place to ensure fair play and prevent doping in sports. Athletes who fail to comply with these rules face severe penalties, including suspension and bans.

In conclusion, Tulika Maan's withdrawal from the CWG 2026 is a significant setback for Indian judo. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to anti-doping rules and regulations. The Indian team will now have to focus on the remaining competitions and hope to bring home medals in other events.