British grappler Sandhu banned for doping violation

British freestyle wrestler Chinu Sandhu, who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 2014, has been handed a four-year ban for a doping violation.

Sandhu tested positive for an anabolic steroid in an out-of-competition test administered on September 20 and an independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NDAP) upheld the charge against him.

The 29-year-old had contested the charge on the grounds that he had not acted intentionally and that the positive test resulted from taking a contaminated supplement.

“Chinu Sandhu, an experienced British wrestler, has been suspended for a period of four years following a proven Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV)” the NDAP said.

“Sandhu’s ban will run from 14 October 2016 until 14 October 2020,” the statement added.

UK Anti-Doping chief Nicole Sapstead said that Sandhu’s reputation had been “tainted” because of his own actions.