India’s discus thrower Seema Punia has received a 16-month ban from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after failing a doping test. No information has been disclosed on the result found, but this is Punia’s third doping violation coming into effect including one during her junior career.
According to the reports by NADA, the Asian Games gold medalist has tested positive for the presence and use of a prohibited substance that is banned under Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of NADA’s Anti-Doping Rules. Punia’s ban came into effect from November 10, 2025.
Punia’s last appearance in the competition was at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where she won a bronze medal. The same year, she also competed at the National Games in Goa, where she won a gold with a throw of 52.51m.
In her total career span, she has won four medals in the Commonwealth Games including three silvers. She has won a sole gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Games. In the 2002 Junior World Championship, she secured an early success with a bronze medal win. In an event in Kyiv in 2004, she recorded her personal best throw of 64.84m.
At the 2000 World Junior Championships in Santiago, Chile, Punia, at the age of 17, received her first doping ban after testing positive for pseudoephedrine. Her second doping offence was recorded later in her career.
Earlier this year, Punia coached para javelin thrower Sandeep Chaudhary for the World Para Athletics Championships held in New Delhi. Under her coaching in the event, Sandeep bagged a silver medal.
The 42-year-old discus thrower hails from the Khewda village in the Sonipat district of Haryana. Punia began her career at the age of 11. She first started her journey as a hurdler and long jumper, and it was later that she took discus throw as her future sport choice.
Other athletes suspended by NADA
On November 30, the NADA released an offenders list that includes 12 minor athletes.
Besides Punia, the anti-doping agency has also released the suspension list that includes several other athletes, including Pooja Yadav, Manjeet Kumar and Nikesh Dhanraj Rathod were also suspended for failing dope tests.
The list starts with distance runner Pooja Yadav and middle-distance runner Nikesh Dhanraj Rathod. Both have received four years of ban each.
Meanwhile, shot put athlete Manjeet Kumar has received a six-year suspension. In addition to Manjeet, marathon runner Kuldeep Singh and steeplechaser Chavi Yadav, after failing their respective dope tests, have been handed a four-year ban each.
