Bhubaneswar: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has provisionally suspended ace weightlifter from Odisha and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Gold medalist, Ravi Kumar Katulu, for anti-doping rule violation.
Ravi Kumar's sample was collected during 71st Men and 34th Women Senior National Weightlifting Championship in Visakhapatnam held earlier this year. He had won the gold medal and set a new meet record by lifting a total of 342 kg in the snatch, clean and jerk in the 89-kg event.
Apart from K Ravi Kumar who was adjudged Weight Lifter of the Year, 18 other athletes of the country including five weightlifters have also tested positive for banned substance.
An internationally famed weightlifter, Ravi Kumar who hails from Berhampur, has won many State, National, and International awards in his career. He won three back to back gold medals in 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and also bagged a silver at 2014 CWG Games in 69 kg division. He also competed for India in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Kumar has been appointed as an officer in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for his outstanding performance in sports. He is the first sportsperson from Odisha to get appointed in the Group A category under the direct recruitment scheme for sportspersons.
Clarifying his suspension over failing dope test, Kumar said, "It is shocking for me and the people of entire Odisha that I have been tested positive after a salt product was traced in my bloodstream, which has been banned by the NADA this year. This is the first time that I am tested positive in my 17 years of career. I had given tope test and got clean chit in several national and international events.”
“Along with all athletes who have failed the dope test, I appeal to give us maximum relaxation so that we can do well in our career,” he added.
Meanwhile, Odisha Weightlifting Association secretary, Narayan Sahu said that the suspension of Ravi Kumar will have a negative impact on the sport. He further said that steps should be taken to avoid any such instances in future.