Weightlifter seeks dues after being cleared of doping
TWO-TIME Commonwealth Games (CWG) champion Sanjita Chanu, who has been cleared of doping charges, is hoping to receive recognition for her achievements, starting with the Arjuna Award which has eluded her since 2016.
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), on the recommendation of World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) dropped the doping charge against Chanu after more than two-and-a-half years of investigation, making the 26-year-old eligible to apply for the Arjuna Award.
“I applied for Arjuna first in 2016 but I was not given it then. I was ignored again in 2017 despite having the points,” Chanu said. “But then because of this dope case I was ineligible. I am going to try and get it now.”
Chanu won gold at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games in the 48kg and 53kg, respectively. The weightlifter, who holds the CWG snatch record in the 53kg weight category, is happy after being exonerated of the doping charges that almost pushed her to quit the sport, but says the final verdict feels bittersweet as she is still struggling to find closure.
“I am very happy. I was waiting for this day for so many years. But the result is also sad as my life has changed completely. It has been ruined because of this case.
“I was so disheartened that I thought I would just leave the sport because what happened to me was so incredibly unfair,” Chanu said.
After a case that was marred with discrepancies at every level, Chanu is now demanding an apology and compensation from the IWF for causing her mental trauma.
“Obviously an apology won’t take away my suffering. But I want an explanation because there is still no clarity about my case. I will file a case against the IWF at the court of arbitration for sport (CAS), “she said.