Indian wrestler Deepak withdrawn from Asian Games after failed doping test

Indian Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak has been withdrawn from the 2026 Asian Games contingent following a failed doping test. His urine sample, collected during selection trials in Lucknow on May 31, returned an atypical finding for clomifene, a prohibited hormone and metabolic modulator used to treat infertility.

Deepak is the third Indian wrestler to be removed from the squad due to doping violations, joining Mukul Dahiya (men's freestyle 86kg) and Deepanshu (Greco-Roman 130kg). As a result of these cases, India will be unrepresented in at least three wrestling weight categories at the upcoming games in Aichi Nagoya.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) reported the atypical finding on July 23. Following an investigation and an interview with the athlete on August 17, the case was moved forward as an Adverse Analytical Finding. While the notification indicates the athlete is not provisionally suspended pending the final resolution, the national federation has moved to withdraw him from the contingent.