Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu will be conferred with the Arjuna Award which was on hold since 2018. Chanu was recently “absolved of the doping charges” by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). “It’s confirmed, Sanjita will get her 2018 Arjuna award,” Indian Weightlifting Federation secretary general has said.
Earlier, she reportedly tested positive for an anabolic steroid, samples taken during the World Championships in the USA in November 2017. She claimed innocence but she had been put under provisional suspension since May 2018. When the final list of 2017 Arjuna Awardees was announced she was left out due to the pendency of the case.
Recently, IWF dropped the doping charges against the Indian weightlifter. And, as a result, Chanu will finally receive her award which has been on hold since 2018. The weightlifter had earlier filed a writ petition before the Delhi HC challenging the decision to keep her out from the list of those recommended for the Arjuna Award.
What You Should Know
- Sanjita Chanu will finally receive the Arjuna Award.
- A Sports Ministry source confirmed that Chanu will be conferred with the award as per a 2018 Delhi High Court order.
- Earlier, the IWF said they made a mistake in handling her sample following which Chanu demanded an apology and compensation.
A Sports Ministry source confirmed that they will abide by the Delhi High Court order and confer Chanu with the award as per a 2018 court order. The HC order had directed to the committee to “consider her for the award and keep its decision in a sealed cover, pending a decision on her appeal against dope charges.”
Chanu cleared of doping charge
Earlier this month, IWF admitted that the charges against Chanu has been dropped and it happened due to “non-conformities”. However, Chanu argued for an official apology. “I am happy in the sense that I am finally and officially clear from the doping charges. But, what about the chances I have lost? Who will take the responsibility of the mental trauma I have been living with?” Chanu had told PTI from Manipur.
READ: Who Is Sanjita Chanu? Know More about This Manipuri Star
The 26-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medallist said because of the IWF’s mishandling, she couldn’t take part in many tours including a missed chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and that all this caused her “trauma”.
She was also dropped from government-funded the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme after the controversy.
Chanu brought India glory when became the second Indian woman weightlifter after Kunjarani Devi to win gold in two different editions of the CWG (Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018). She overcame her opponent, but soon the fallout of the doping scandal led her to fear the risk of losing her Gold Coast CWG gold in the women’s 53kg category.
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Feature Image Credit: Alchetron
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