Narsingh Yadav: After doping 'sabotage' incident, wrestler trains in secure environment in Mumbai

Cleared by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Narsingh Yadav on Wednesday got the go ahead of United World Wrestling (UWW) to compete in the Rio Olympics even as he waited for a WADA clearance as well. Less than a week ago, his Rio Olympics dream hung by a thread, but after a landmark statement by NADA, Narsingh’s dream of securing a medal for his country appear to be back on track. [caption id=“attachment_2921322” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Narsingh Yadav. Reuters[/caption] The 26-year-old is back in his hometown of Mumbai where he is training at the Sports Authority of India centre in Kandivali. But despite being in familiar territory, Narsingh’s camp is refusing to take any chances. His food intake is constantly monitored and guarded. Those around the SAI center don’t know where Narsingh stays. Sandeep Yadav his training partner, few other wrestlers and selected coaches are the only ones allowed to enter that area, reported the Indian Express. Speaking to the English daily, Narsingh expressed his relief over the closure of the doping saga that not just stressed the wrestler out, but also hampered his training before the Rio Games. “The last 10-12 days have definitely been very tough. It was a very draining experience and mentally I was not in a good place at all. But the goal of proving myself at the Olympics is something that is driving me everyday,” Narsingh told  Indian Express The Indian wrestler was moved by the support he received in the past weeks and that has only fueled his motivation of winning a medal, according to Sandeep Yadav. “If I return (from Rio) without a medal, I won’t be able to face the nation,” Sandeep quoted Narsingh as saying while interacting with Indian Express. Despite shifting his focus completely on the upcoming Rio Games, the 26-year-old grappler will have to wait for some more before boarding the flight to Rio as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had on Tuesday asked NADA to send the case file of Narsingh for a review. After studying the case, WADA can appeal against a decision of Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel or Appeals Panel of any of its member countries to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) within 21 days. If WADA appeals against the decision of the disciplinary panel at the ad hoc division of the CAS, specifically constituted to render decisions quickly during the Olympics, Narsingh may have to wait some more days to know his fate regarding his participation in the Rio Games. Earlier, in a sensational turnaround, Narsingh was exonerated of doping charges by the NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, which concluded that he was a victim of sabotage, boosting his chances of making it to the Olympics. After more than a week of drama, which began with Narsingh testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid methandienone in tests conducted on June 25, NADA Director General Navin Agarwal put an end to the suspense on the wrestler’s fate by exonerating him on Monday. With inputs from PTI Click here to read full Indian Express report.