Tulika Maan Withdrawn from CWG Judo Squad Due to Doping Violations

The Indian judo team faced a significant hurdle as Tulika Maan, a silver medalist from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). This decision comes as a result of Maan recording three whereabouts failures within a year, which has rendered her ineligible to compete while the investigation is ongoing. Her absence is particularly felt as she was considered one of India’s top contenders for a medal in the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. A member of the coaching staff confirmed the news, stating that Maan would no longer be part of the traveling team due to the serious nature of the violations. The coach, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, emphasized that NADA had issued a notice regarding her situation, leading to her withdrawal from the squad.

The regulations surrounding anti-doping are strict, particularly for athletes in the registered testing pool, who must consistently provide accurate information regarding their whereabouts. This is essential for facilitating unannounced testing outside of competition periods. According to the rules, three failures to report whereabouts within a 12-month timeframe can be classified as a violation of anti-doping regulations. Maan's situation is compounded by the recent news that another athlete, Arun Kumar, was also removed from the Commonwealth Games team after failing an out-of-competition doping test. These developments have raised concerns about the overall performance and integrity of the Indian judo team as they prepare for the Games.