Indian judoka Arun Kumar withdrawn from 2026 CWG after failing dope test
Indian judoka Arun Kumar has been withdrawn from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after failing a dope test conducted by NADA. His removal reduces the Indian athlete contingent to 124 members.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing challenges with anti-doping compliance in Indian sports and impacts the country's medal prospects at the international event.
India's Commonwealth Games contingent has suffered a setback on the day of the Glasgow 2026 opening ceremony, with judoka Arun Kumar withdrawn from the competition after failing a dope test.The rising 73kg judoka was declared ineligible following an adverse analytical finding in an out-of-competition test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). His withdrawal reduces India's athlete contingent from 125 to 124.Arun had been one of India's brightest medal prospects in judo after enjoying a rapid rise through the junior and senior ranks. Training at the Inspire Institute of Sport, he won gold at the 2023 Macau Junior Asian Cup, followed by another gold at the 2025 Taipei Asian Open and a bronze at the Hong Kong Asian Open.
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