Rio 2016: Narsingh Yadav's coach Jagmal Singh in shock over ward's 4-year ban

Wrestling coach Jagmal Singh normally wakes up early morning to train his wards at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Kandivli. But yesterday, he didn’t feel like doing so

Wrestling coach Jagmal Singh normally wakes up early morning to train his wards at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Kandivli. But yesterday, he didn’t feel like doing so.

Narsingh’s coach Jagmal Singh at SAI yesterday

After watching news on TV reveal that his most famous ward, Narsingh Yadav, had been served a four-year ban for doping as the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) had upheld the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) appeal against the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) clean chit to the 74 kg wrestler.

“Yeh, sab kya ho gaya (what is this that has happened),” were a distraught Jagmal’s first words when mid-day spoke to him early morning yesterday.

Undone by an Indian
Jagmal said that he was more hurt because Narsingh had been done in by someone from his own country.

“We wrestlers take pride when we put international opponents on the mat, but the saddest part of this whole controversy is that Narsingh has been beaten unfairly by an Indian. Ek Bhartiya ne dusre Bhartiya ko dhokha diya hai (one Indian has cheated another),” said Jagmal, who believes Narsingh won’t give up though.

Yadav tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid methandienone after a NADA test on June 25. He claimed that someone had spiked his food/drink, and after investigations, NADA agreed it was a case of sabotage and cleared the wrestler for the Rio Olympics. In Rio, however, WADA appealed against NADA’s decision and approached the CAS, and yesterday, 12 hours before his bout at the Games, the verdict shattered Yadav’s Olympic dreams.

Appeal to reduce ban
“We will await directions from WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) and then decide on the future course of action. If I know Narsingh well, he will not throw in the towel. Narsingh is 27 years old, so if we can appeal and reduce the ban’s duration, he can still participate in international competitions. But if the four-year ban stands, he could be forced to give up what he loves best,” said Jagmal.

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