Javelin thrower DP Manu has been handed a four-year ban by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after testing positive for methyltestosterone, a banned anabolic-androgenic steroid.
The 25-year-old athlete, who clinched a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Championships and placed sixth at the Budapest World Championships, tested positive during the Indian Grand Prix 1 in Bengaluru in April 2024. Manu had won the event with an impressive throw of 81.91 meters.
Despite not achieving the Olympic qualifying mark of 85.50 meters, Manu’s world ranking placed him in contention for the Paris Olympics. However, his dreams were dashed when NADA provisionally suspended him before the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Panchkula.
The Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel has now finalized Manu’s suspension, effective retroactively from June 24, 2024. This development highlights the ongoing fight against doping in sports, reminding athletes of the serious consequences of violating anti-doping regulations.
