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This weightlifter will get the Arjuna Award from 2018, this is the reason

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4 years ago

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Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist weight lifter Sanjita Chanu will finally get the prestigious Arjuna Award.

  • Dope Charge Free Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu

  • Arjuna Award for 2018

Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist weightlifter Sanjita Chanu will finally get the prestigious Arjuna Award which has been held since 2018. Sources in the Sports Ministry have confirmed that Chanu will receive the Arjuna Award as per the 2018 Delhi High Court order. The High Court had asked the selection committee to consider Chanu’s name and put its decision in a sealed envelope which was to be opened only if Chanu was exempted from allegations of doping.

The ministry source told PTI, ‘Sanjita (Chanu) has been cleared of all allegations of doping by the International Federation so we have to follow the order of the Delhi High Court and consider her name for the Arjuna Award.’

After being ignored for the Arjuna Award in 2017, Chanu filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the decision to ignore his name from the list of this prestigious award. She was found positive for banned substance in May 2018 while the case was pending in the High Court.

But the High Court, in its order in August the same year, directed the committee to consider his name for the award. He was also asked to keep his decision in a sealed envelope as long as the decision on his appeal against dope charges is pending.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) dropped doping charges against Chanu last month. The lifter from Manipur is planning to seek compensation from the IWF to face mental problems during this period.

The IWF discharged Chanu on the basis of the recommendation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), after which the National Federation wrote a letter to the Sports Ministry asking them to follow the High Court order.

The General Secretary of the Indian Weightlifting Federation has also confirmed to PTI that Chanu has received the Arjuna Award. Without giving more details, he said, ‘It has been confirmed, Sanjita will get the Arjuna Award for 2018. ‘

The 26-year-old Chanu won gold medals in the 48 and 53 kg categories respectively in two consecutive Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2018. Chanu applied for the Arjuna Award in 2016 and 2017, but was ignored on both occasions.

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