The Indian hammer thrower Manju Bala, who won a bronze medal at the Incheon Asian Games, has now been banned for five years by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP).
SPORTS NEWS: India's hammer thrower and Asian Games bronze medalist Manju Bala has been slapped with a 5-year ban in a serious doping case. The Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) found her guilty of consuming banned substances. This suspension for Manju will be effective from July 10, 2024, and will remain in force until July 9, 2029. The Anti-Doping Panel delivered this decision on October 15, 2024. This case once again raises questions about the increasing number of doping incidents in Indian sports.
Who is Manju Bala?
Manju Bala is a renowned Indian hammer thrower who won a bronze medal for India at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. She also represented India at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Hailing from a small village in Rajasthan and reaching international acclaim, Manju had set an example for female athletes in India. However, her name is now entangled in doping controversies.
Which substances did Manju Bala test positive for?
According to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), two banned substances were found in Manju Bala's sample:
- Dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone — an anabolic steroid illegally used to increase muscle strength and recovery.
- SARMS LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) — a performance-enhancing substance completely banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).
The consumption of both these substances is strictly prohibited in athletics as they unnaturally enhance natural performance capabilities. NADA had publicly released Manju's test results in September 2024 last year, after which the investigation process began. Ultimately, in October, the panel found her guilty and announced a 5-year ban.
Manju Bala is not the only athlete to have recently been caught in the doping net. According to NADA's report, several other Indian athletes have also been suspended due to doping violations.
List of suspended athletes
- Mohan Saini (Athlete) – 4-year ban (effective from October 14, 2025)
- Gopala Krishnan, Amit Kumar, and Rajvardhan Sanjay Waskar (Bodybuilders) – 6-year ban each
- Shubham Mahara (Bodybuilder) – 4-year ban
- Sumit (Boxer) – 2-year ban
- Nitin Verma (Canoeist) – 4-year ban
- Shivendra Pandey (Basketball player) – 6-year ban
Furthermore, the Anti-Doping Appeals Panel has upheld the four-year ban previously imposed on sprinter Himani Chandel. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has been taking strict measures over the past few years to ensure transparency and cleanliness in Indian sports.
