Indian judoka Arun Kumar cut from Commonwealth Games 2026 after doping test failure
India judoka Arun Kumar has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games after an adverse analytical finding in an out-of-competition test. The late notice leaves India without a replacement in the men's 73kg event and strips a medal hope on the eve of competition.
India suffered a major setback just hours before the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as judoka Arun Kumar was ruled out after being notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) following an out-of-competition doping test.
As a result, Arun has been ruled out of the men's 73kg event at this year's judo competition after being deemed ineligible.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2026: INDIA SCHEDULE
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) served the notice on Wednesday, following which Arun's name was removed from the 2026 Commonwealth Games Sports Entries System. After being informed of the AAF, the International Judo Federation (IJF) notified the organisers, while the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was also kept informed of the development.
“Glasgow 2026 has received confirmation from the International Judo Federation that Arun Kumar is not eligible to compete at Glasgow 2026. As a result, they will be removed from the Sport Entries System,” Ellise Anderson wrote on behalf of the organisers.
NO REPLACEMENT FOR ARUN
Judo Federation of India president Mukesh Kumar, said that they had big hopes from Arun during the games and said that they won't be able to name a replacement before the event gets underway on Thursday, with the medals events starting from Friday.
“His notice only came yesterday that says he has to send his reply in 15 days. We will give him time but as per the rules, he cannot compete. We can also not replace anyone in such short notice. It is unfortunate as we had big hopes from Arun,” Kumar told The Tribune on Thursday.
Arun has been a regular presence in India's judo setup, competing at several high-profile international events and establishing himself as one of the country's brightest prospects through a string of consistent performances and technical excellence.
His breakthrough on the global circuit came at the 2023 Macau Junior Asian Cup, where he captured the men's 73kg title. The gold-medal triumph marked him out as one of the emerging talents in Asian judo and significantly boosted his reputation on the international stage.
India suffered a major setback just hours before the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as judoka Arun Kumar was ruled out after being notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) following an out-of-competition doping test.
As a result, Arun has been ruled out of the men's 73kg event at this year's judo competition after being deemed ineligible.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2026: INDIA SCHEDULE
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) served the notice on Wednesday, following which Arun's name was removed from the 2026 Commonwealth Games Sports Entries System. After being informed of the AAF, the International Judo Federation (IJF) notified the organisers, while the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was also kept informed of the development.
“Glasgow 2026 has received confirmation from the International Judo Federation that Arun Kumar is not eligible to compete at Glasgow 2026. As a result, they will be removed from the Sport Entries System,” Ellise Anderson wrote on behalf of the organisers.
NO REPLACEMENT FOR ARUN
Judo Federation of India president Mukesh Kumar, said that they had big hopes from Arun during the games and said that they won't be able to name a replacement before the event gets underway on Thursday, with the medals events starting from Friday.
“His notice only came yesterday that says he has to send his reply in 15 days. We will give him time but as per the rules, he cannot compete. We can also not replace anyone in such short notice. It is unfortunate as we had big hopes from Arun,” Kumar told The Tribune on Thursday.
Arun has been a regular presence in India's judo setup, competing at several high-profile international events and establishing himself as one of the country's brightest prospects through a string of consistent performances and technical excellence.
His breakthrough on the global circuit came at the 2023 Macau Junior Asian Cup, where he captured the men's 73kg title. The gold-medal triumph marked him out as one of the emerging talents in Asian judo and significantly boosted his reputation on the international stage.
India suffered a major setback just hours before the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as judoka Arun Kumar was ruled out after being notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) following an out-of-competition doping test.
As a result, Arun has been ruled out of the men's 73kg event at this year's judo competition after being deemed ineligible.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2026: INDIA SCHEDULE
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) served the notice on Wednesday, following which Arun's name was removed from the 2026 Commonwealth Games Sports Entries System. After being informed of the AAF, the International Judo Federation (IJF) notified the organisers, while the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was also kept informed of the development.
“Glasgow 2026 has received confirmation from the International Judo Federation that Arun Kumar is not eligible to compete at Glasgow 2026. As a result, they will be removed from the Sport Entries System,” Ellise Anderson wrote on behalf of the organisers.
NO REPLACEMENT FOR ARUN
Judo Federation of India president Mukesh Kumar, said that they had big hopes from Arun during the games and said that they won't be able to name a replacement before the event gets underway on Thursday, with the medals events starting from Friday.
“His notice only came yesterday that says he has to send his reply in 15 days. We will give him time but as per the rules, he cannot compete. We can also not replace anyone in such short notice. It is unfortunate as we had big hopes from Arun,” Kumar told The Tribune on Thursday.
Arun has been a regular presence in India's judo setup, competing at several high-profile international events and establishing himself as one of the country's brightest prospects through a string of consistent performances and technical excellence.
His breakthrough on the global circuit came at the 2023 Macau Junior Asian Cup, where he captured the men's 73kg title. The gold-medal triumph marked him out as one of the emerging talents in Asian judo and significantly boosted his reputation on the international stage.
