Four days after handing life bans to three lifters for their second dope offences, the Indian Weightlifting Federation on Wednesday said five lifters tested positive for banned drugs during the Senior National Championships in Udaipur in February. IWF secretary Sahadev Yadav said the Punjab unit is banned for two years, as two out of the five lifters who tested positive belong to the state.
Besides legendary boxer MC Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, the panel includes archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav.
In an unusual move, ace weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has been nominated for the Arjuna award by the national federation though the former World champion is already a recipient of Khel Ratna, country's highest sporting honour. The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) has nominated Chanu along with Ragala Venkat Rahul and Punam Yadav.