Tulika Maan withdrawn from CWG 2026 after NADA suspension

India's Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tulika Maan has been withdrawn from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after a provisional NADA suspension for three whereabouts failures. The development follows another suspension in the Indian judo squad, affecting the team's preparations ahead of the competition

New Delhi: India’s Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tulika Maan has been withdrawn from the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period, dealing a major blow to India’s judo campaign.

The 27-year-old, who won a silver medal in the women’s +78kg category at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, was one of India’s leading medal prospects for the Glasgow Games before being dropped from the squad following the suspension. Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, Maan could face a ban of up to two years.

---

Her withdrawal comes less than a day after another Indian judoka, Arun Kumar, was provisionally suspended following a positive out-of-competition doping test, marking a second setback for the Indian judo team ahead of the Games.

Arun Kumar, who was set to compete in the men’s -73kg category, failed an out-of-competition drug test conducted by NADA and was subsequently suspended and dropped from the squad.

The Indian judo team has not yet departed for Glasgow, with the competition scheduled to begin on July 31. Although the team was expected to leave on July 27, the two suspensions have disrupted India’s preparations.

Maan’s case differs from one involving a positive doping test, as it relates to the anti-doping whereabouts system. Under WADA rules, an anti-doping rule violation occurs when an athlete records three filing failures, missed tests, or a combination of both within any 12-month period. Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool are required to regularly update their training and accommodation details and provide a daily 60-minute time slot during which they are available for out-of-competition testing. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, including suspension.

Maan is one of India’s most accomplished judokas in recent years. Besides winning a Commonwealth Games silver medal, she represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympics and also competed at the 2022 and 2024 World Championships.

India has selected a 14-member judo squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after winning three medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games.