Asian Games 2026: Indian Kurash Player Yash Kumar Chauhan Provisionally Suspended After Doping Violation

India's Asian Games campaign in kurash has been hit by a doping case after Indian athlete Yash Kumar Chauhan returned an adverse analytical finding from a sample collected during competition on September 27.

The 24-year-old kurash player has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced on Saturday. His sample, collected during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, was analysed by the International Testing Agency (ITA), which is handling testing and results management at the Games on behalf of the OCA.

According to the OCA, Chauhan's sample contained metabolites of Metandienone and GW1516, along with Mephentermine and its metabolite. All three are prohibited substances under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, although their specific classifications and periods of prohibition differ.

"The ITA, on behalf of the OCA , reports that a sample collected from kurash athlete Yash Kumar Chauhan (IND) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for non-specified prohibited substances Metandienone metabolites, GW1516 metabolites, Mephentermine and its metabolite," the OCA said in a statement on Saturday.

"The athlete has been informed of the case and provisionally suspended with immediate effect until the resolution of the matter in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and the OCA Anti-Doping Rules. This means that the athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during (this) Asian Games."

Metandienone, an oral anabolic-androgenic steroid derived from testosterone, is prohibited both in and out of competition. The OCA described it as a substance associated with increased muscle mass, strength and endurance.

GW1516 is also prohibited at all times. It acts on pathways linked to fat metabolism and has been associated with improved endurance performance.

Meanwhile, Mephentermine is classified as a non-specified stimulant and is prohibited during competition. It acts on the central nervous system and may increase alertness and reduce fatigue.

Chauhan competed in the men's 90kg kurash category and was eliminated in the Round of 16 after losing to Tajikistan's Mirmamadov Shakarmamad on September 27.