PUNE: In a major embarrassment for Indian rowing, and the Army Rowing Node (ARN) in particular, World Cup gold medallist Lakshay has been provisionally suspended after testing positive in an out-of-competition dope test.
Watch Ishan Kishan Press Conference: On match-winning knock, comeback, team role & Vaibhav Suryavanshi The triumph was India’s first-ever gold at a rowing World Cup.
The result now stands to be annulled if the anti-doping violation is confirmed.
The development is also a blow to India’s preparations for this year’s Asian Games, with the Lakshay-Ujjwal combination considered a medal prospect.The 23-year-old havildar from Haryana had won the lightweight double sculls gold with Ajay Tyagi at last year’s Asian Championships in Vietnam, where he was also part of the silver-winning quadruple sculls team.