Indian Olympian Shivpal Singh Gets 10-Year Doping Ban

By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
Aug 21, 2026
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Indian javelin thrower and Tokyo Olympian Shivpal Singh has been handed a 10-year suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India after committing a second doping violation. The NADA Disciplinary Panel imposed the lengthy ban after the 31-year-old athlete tested positive for methandienone, a prohibited anabolic steroid.

The latest punishment places Shivpal Singh's professional athletics career in serious jeopardy. His case has again brought attention to India's fight against doping and the strict disciplinary measures imposed on athletes who violate anti-doping regulations.

Shivpal Singh Doping Case: What Happened?

Shivpal's latest violation comes after an earlier doping case that resulted in a four-year suspension. His 2021 out-of-competition sample had tested positive for a prohibited steroid. In August 2022, NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel found him guilty and imposed a four-year ban.

Shivpal subsequently appealed the decision, maintaining that contaminated supplements were responsible for the failed test. In January 2023, the NADA Appeal Panel accepted his argument and reduced the original four-year suspension to one year. He returned to competition in April 2023.

His second doping case has now resulted in a substantially longer penalty, with NADA imposing a 10-year ban.

Shivpal Singh's Javelin Career and Olympic Record

Before the doping controversies, Shivpal Singh established himself as one of India's prominent javelin throwers.

He won silver at the 2019 Asian Championships in Doha, producing his personal-best throw of 86.23 metres. He also represented India at the Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021 after being postponed from 2020.

His 86.23m effort remains a major highlight of his international career.

Shivpal Singh Returned to Competition in 2023

Following the reduction of his initial suspension, Shivpal returned to competitive athletics in April 2023.

His comeback produced encouraging results. He claimed bronze at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar in June 2023 before winning gold at the 2023 National Games in Goa.

The latest 10-year suspension, however, puts his future in athletics under considerable uncertainty.

MV Jilna Also Faces Provisional Suspension

Shivpal Singh is not the only Indian athlete facing disciplinary action in the latest doping cases.

Sprinter MV Jilna has also been provisionally suspended after testing positive for mephentermine in a second doping case. A provisional suspension is a precautionary measure and should not by itself be treated as a final finding of guilt.

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What Does Shivpal Singh's 10-Year Ban Mean?

The latest NADA action represents a severe penalty for a second doping violation. At 31, a 10-year period of ineligibility would effectively keep Shivpal away from competitive athletics for most of the remainder of his peak sporting years.

The case also highlights the importance of athletes carefully monitoring supplements and substances they consume, while reinforcing NADA's role in enforcing India's anti-doping regulations.

The case is expected to remain under close attention among Indian athletics followers because of Shivpal Singh's Olympic experience, Asian Championships medal and previous doping appeal.

News Source: TheTripuraPost – Latest Tripura & National News