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Former Asian Games gold medallist Seema Antil Punia has been handed a 16-month suspension for failing in dope test. Haryana's Seema Punia tested positive for a gynaecological medicine in 2024. Following a prolonged hearing process, the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) ultimately decided to impose the 16-month sanction, which is effective from November 10, 2025, the date the decision was made.
16-month ban imposed on Seema Antil Punia for failing dope test
The substance in question is classified as a 'specified substance,' which means it does not mandate an automatic provisional suspension. It appears that Seema may have wasted valuable time by not taking a voluntary suspension in 2024, a decision that might have potentially reduced the duration of her final suspension when the ADDP ruling was delivered.
This latest incident marks Seema's third doping offense. One of her previous offenses, dating back to 2006, occurred when the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) lacked accreditation from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Consequently, that particular offense was deemed inconsequential in terms of sanctions imposed. On that occasion, a committee appointed by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) reprieved her, making her eligible for the Doha Asian Games. Seema was initially named in the Indian team for those Games, but after consulting with her well-wishers and coaches, she decided to withdraw, thereby avoiding further embarrassment for both herself and the country.
Seema Antil Punia's history with doping dates back to 2000 when, as a 17-year-old, she won the World Junior Championships gold medal in Santiago, Chile. However, she was subsequently stripped of the title after a doping violation for the stimulant pseudoephedrine was confirmed at the meet. Following the rules prevalent at the time, she received a reprimand from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for the offense. Despite this setback, Seema went on to secure a bronze medal at the next edition of the World Juniors in 2002.
The Haryana discus thrower has had a highly decorated career, particularly at the Asian Games, where she clinched the gold medal in 2014 with an effort of 61.03m. She had previously won bronze in 2002, and earned further bronze medals in 2018 and 2023. Additionally, Seema secured medals at four consecutive Commonwealth Games: in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.
She also once held the national discus record with a throw of 64.64m set in Chennai in 2004. Although her 64.84m throw in Kiev that same year is still recognized as a national record in several international publications, the AFI did not ratify it due to insufficient documentation. The current national record of 64.76m was set by Krishna Poonia in Wailuku, Hawaii, in 2012.
NADA also hands out multiple long-term bans to several Indian athletes
In other disciplinary news, NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) announced several other suspensions on Friday. Distance runner Pooja Yadav has been banned for four years, effective from September 6, 2024, for using EPO. Shot putter Manjeet Kumar Mahto received a six-year ban from October 17, 2024, for testing positive for multiple substances, including methandienone, norandrosterone, and mephentermine. Middle-distance runner Nikesh Dhanraj Rathod was suspended for four years from October 11, 2024, for darbepoetin. Furthermore, both marathon and distance runner Kulldeep Singh (38) and woman steeplechaser Chavi Yadav (33, for drostanolone) received four-year suspensions.
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