Setback for India as Judoka Arun Kumar Disqualified from Commonwealth Games

Disqualification of Arun Kumar Ahead of Commonwealth Games

India faces a significant setback just hours before the commencement of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Judoka Arun Kumar has been disqualified from the tournament after testing positive for banned substances in a pre-competition doping test.

Arun was set to represent India in the men's 73 kg judo category. The disqualification was enforced following the detection of prohibited substances in his system during the mandatory pre-event screening.

International Judo Federation Confirms Disqualification

The International Judo Federation (IJF) made this decision based on findings from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) of India. They have communicated this information to both the Games organizers and the Indian Olympic Association.

Consequently, Arun's name has been removed from the official entry list for the Commonwealth Games. Elise Anderson, a spokesperson for the organizing committee, confirmed that Arun Kumar is ineligible to compete and has been entirely excluded from the events.

Judo Federation President Expresses Regret

Mukesh Kumar, President of the Judo Federation of India, expressed disappointment over Arun's exclusion, labeling it as 'very unfortunate.' Arun was considered one of India's top medal prospects in judo, and the inability to send a replacement at such short notice exacerbates the situation.

Arun has been granted 15 days to present his case; however, current anti-doping regulations prevent him from participating in the Games. 'It is technically impossible to replace him in such a brief timeframe. We had high hopes for Arun, and this situation is truly unfortunate,' Kumar stated.

Background on Arun Kumar

Arun Kumar, a 21-year-old from Najafgarh, Delhi, has been a prominent figure in judo, competing in the men's 73 kg category. He serves as a Havildar in the Indian Army and has trained at the Inspire Institute of Sport, established by the JSW Group under the leadership of Parth Jindal.

He gained national recognition after winning a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Junior Championship in Macau. In 2025, he secured another gold at the Taipei Asian Open, followed by impressive performances that positioned him as a leading contender for medals in international competitions.

Arun also earned a bronze medal at the Hong Kong Asian Open and finished seventh at the Tashkent Grand Slam. His disqualification has dashed his hopes of competing at the Commonwealth Games, marking a significant blow to India's judo team as the multi-sport event begins.