An official mail from the World Anti-doping Agency had made Narsingh Yadav’s weekend special. The content of the mail talked about the end of his four-year ban, making him eligible for future competitions including the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. “The ban is finally over,” elated Narsingh told WrestlingTV. “I am now eligible for all competitions and have informed Wrestling Federation of India about it”.
The 30-year-old’s claim to fame was an infamous one. Back in 2016, he and two-time Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar were engaged in a bitter and controversial court-battle, both vying for the 74kg category spot in the Rio Olympics-bound Indian team. Back, then the WFI had supported Yadav, who had sealed the berth by winning a bronze medal at the 2015 world championships in Las Vegas. However, in the eleventh hour, he tested positive in two separate anti-doping for methandienone. Cleared by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had decided to hand him a four-year ban.
Cut forward to March 2020, the announcement by International Olympic Council (IOC) of postponing the Tokyo Games to next year had given Narsingh a second lease of life. “When the news broke, I was very happy. God finally heard my prayers,” he said. “I believe it was my destiny that this opportunity has come knocking on my door. Yes, I am happy but now it is time to train harder and battle it out among top contenders for a position in the Indian team”.
During his ban days, the wrestler spent his time training, competing in local dangals and watching videos of his possible future opponents. This was his source of motivation and the fuel which kept him going. “I watched videos day and night. It was my source of motivation for the past four years,” the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist said.
Wife’s support and mission world championship
Narsingh’s wife Shilpi who was a wrestler herself kept him motivated when it got tough to keep the head held high. She always said, Narsingh tells, that if not 2020 then aim for Paris 2024. “I dreamt of it every day. Sometimes it became tough to keep myself going with the thought that I am missing out on my golden days of wrestling. But my wife helped me sail through. She always had my back. She kept telling me if not 2020 then Paris 2024 it should be”.
Narsingh has set his sight for the world championships which have been scheduled for December in Serbia. He has written to WFI, requesting him to join the national camp whenever it resumes. “I have written to the federation requesting to consider me for any future national camp and competitions”. The Uttar Pradesh-born wrestler thinks he is ready to mark his comeback for the Indian team and has resumed his training at a local akhada in the outskirts of Mumbai. “Yes, it is true that I have not competed in any international competition but I have been training every day. I moved out of the city as conditions there are bad. It is the same in Delhi and the surrounding area so, I don’t really think camp would be held. Therefore, I am doing my own mat and individual training. I think I am ready,” he concluded.
