Indian Rowing Faces Embarrassment as World Cup Gold Medallist Lakshay Tests Positive for Doping
Lakshay Provisionally Suspended, Asian Games Medal Hopes in Jeopardy
Quick Look
World Cup gold medallist Lakshay, 23, provisionally suspended after testing positive for stanozolol in an out-of-competition dope test, threatening India's first-ever rowing World Cup gold and Asian Games medal hopes.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Lakshay and Ujjwal Singh won India's first rowing World Cup gold in Switzerland.
PUNE: In a major embarrassment for Indian rowing, and the Army Rowing Node (ARN) in particular, World Cup gold medallist Lakshay has been provisionally suspended after testing positive in an out-of-competition dope test. Lakshay, who combined with Ujjwal Singh to win the lightweight double sculls gold at World Cup III in Switzerland last month, tested positive for stanozolol in a sample collected in Pune on May 25. The triumph was India’s first-ever gold at a rowing World Cup. The result now stands to be annulled if the anti-doping violation is confirmed. The development is also a blow to India’s preparations for this year’s Asian Games, with the Lakshay-Ujjwal combination considered a medal prospect. The 23-year-old havildar from Haryana had won the lightweight double sculls gold with Ajay Tyagi at last year’s Asian Championships in Vietnam, where he was also part of the silver-winning quadruple sculls team.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Lakshay's suspension to be confirmed, leading to annulment of World Cup gold.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Lakshay's suspension be confirmed?
- How will this affect India's Asian Games preparations?
