Haryana Wrestlers Shine at National Open Ranking Tournament Amid Doping Concerns
WFI President Defends Haryana's Participation
On Sunday, Sanjay Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), emphasized that the significant involvement of wrestlers from Haryana in the ongoing National Open Ranking Tournament counters claims of bias against the state. He also acknowledged the persistent issue of doping in Indian wrestling, following the discovery of used syringes at the event venue.
Approximately 1,400 wrestlers have signed up for the three-day tournament, with nearly 80% hailing from Haryana, known as the nation's wrestling stronghold.
This tournament plays a crucial role in shaping the selection process for national camps and future international events. It also serves as a platform for established athletes to reclaim their positions after a decline in rankings.
Notable competitors include Deepak Punia, who won silver at the 2019 World Championship and the 2023 Asian Games, alongside Anirudh Gulia, a bronze medalist at the 2023 Asian Championship in the 125kg category.
The significance of this issue is heightened by a policy change in 2021 by the previous WFI administration, which restricted states to fielding only one team in the National Championships. This decision was widely viewed as a direct attack on Haryana, which traditionally entered both A and B teams due to its wealth of wrestling talent.
Haryana's wrestling associations voiced their concerns, claiming they were being unfairly targeted.
Singh reiterated that Haryana is integral to Indian wrestling, and the federation aims to encourage robust participation from all states, particularly those that consistently produce world-class wrestlers.
According to the WFI, the Ranking Tournament was specifically designed to benefit Haryana, allowing deserving wrestlers a second opportunity to showcase their skills and maintain their presence in national discussions.
He stated, "Haryana has made significant contributions to Indian wrestling over the years. We aspire for the sport to flourish both there and nationwide."
Singh added, "The participation numbers themselves are a clear indication that WFI is not against Haryana. If there were any discrimination, we wouldn't see such a large turnout from Haryana wrestlers. They will ultimately succeed and have a strong chance of returning to the national camp, which opens doors to year-long training benefits."
Doping Issues Persist Despite Efforts
On the opening day of the tournament, several heavyweight wrestlers reportedly received injections, as multiple used syringes were discovered in the men's restroom at the Nandini Nagar venue.
"We are actively working to raise awareness and identify offenders, but there is still much to be done. Wrestling has been affected by doping incidents, and we aim to clean up the sport," Singh remarked.
Indian wrestling has faced significant embarrassment due to doping violations in recent years, especially in heavyweight divisions, with numerous high-profile wrestlers receiving suspensions after failing drug tests.
According to reports from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) released in December 2025, India has been ranked first globally for doping violations for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024).
Recently, Benjamin Cohen, the Director General of the International Testing Agency (ITA), cautioned that if India wishes to host the 2036 Olympic Games, it must take serious measures to improve its anti-doping framework.
"We have succeeded in educating coaches and wrestlers, but many still seek shortcuts. NADA officers are present at this tournament. The WFI awards participation certificates to the top 10 wrestlers in each category, but primarily only the medalists (four) undergo testing. Perhaps we should request NADA to test all top-10 wrestlers. I believe this could serve as a deterrent," he concluded.