CWG Gold Medalist Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu Tests Positive For a Banned Substance, Provisionally Suspended

Sanjita had broken the CWG record with a lift of 84kg in the snatch category and then lifted 108kg in the clean & jerk to finish with a combined effort of 192kg

CWG Gold Medallist Weightlifter K Sanjita Chanu's Provisional Suspension Revoked by International Weightlifting Federation — File Image of K Sanjita Chanu_PTI

Star Indian lifter Sanjita Chanu has tested positive for a banned substance and has been subsequently been suspended, but that is provisional. Chanu bagged a gold medal in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, in the 53 kg category. It was also India’s second medal at the event. Investigations will now start, but if she is found guilty she will be stripped of her coveted Gold medal. She has tested positive for the use of testosterone.

Sanjita had broken the CWG record with a lift of 84kg in the snatch category and then lifted 108kg in the clean & jerk to finish with a combined effort of 192kg. Loa Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea, claimed silver with a total lift of 182kg (80kg in snatch and 102kg in clean & jerk). So, it could very well be possible that the silver medalist could finally land up with the Gold medal, if things do not go well for Chanu. It will be a big setback for India, who had an emphatic run at the CWG.

CWG Gold medalist weightlifter Sanjita Chanu tests positive for a banned substance, provisionally suspended. pic.twitter.com/vRCKgQiMxk
— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2018

“The international federation reports that the sample of Ms. Sanjita Chanu Khumukcham (IND) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for Testosterone (S1.1 Anabolic Agents). As a consequence, the Athlete is provisionally suspended in view of a potential anti-doping rule violation,” IWF stated on its website.

“In any case where it is determined that the Athlete did not commit an anti-doping rule violation, the relevant decision will also be published,” the IWF added.

The International Organisation did not give any further details, such as the dates of the dope test sample collection. It said, “it will not make any further comments on the case until it is closed”.