“It is a fault from my side”: Asian Games gold medallist Prathamesh Jawkar on two-year whereabouts ban

Prathamesh Jawkar, part of India’s gold medal-winning compound team at the Asian Games 2023, has accepted a two-year suspension for breaching anti-doping whereabouts rules, sidelining him from international competition until April 2028.

The 22-year-old agreed to the sanction imposed by the International Testing Agency (ITA), with the period of ineligibility effective from April 19.

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Jawkar’s suspension follows three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period, recorded in January, July, and October last year, constituting a violation under Article 2.4 of anti-doping regulations.

Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool are required to regularly update their location details on the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) to remain available for out-of-competition testing.

Reflecting on the setback, Jawkar acknowledged responsibility for the lapse.

“It is unfortunate, but it is a fault from my side nonetheless,” Prathamesh told the Tribune.

“I was so engrossed in my training that I failed to notice. I hope other archers who are part of the probables for the Asian Games and other major tournaments take my case as an example and not repeat the same mistake,” he added.

The archer had also admitted the lapses were due to “sheer negligence,” citing missed deadlines, communication gaps, and uncertainty around travel during an overseas trip.

Despite the ban, Jawkar remains determined to continue working on his game.

“What has happened has happened now. I will not stop practising, and I will not lose hope,” he said.

The suspension comes even as Jawkar was building strong momentum in his career. He recently clinched a silver medal in the men’s individual compound event at the Asia Cup in Bangkok last month, underlining his consistency at the international level.

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Jawkar was also a key member of India’s gold medal-winning team alongside Ojas Pravin Deotale and Abhishek Verma in Hangzhou, and enjoyed a standout 2023 season that included an individual World Cup stage gold in Shanghai.

However, the ban rules him out of the next Asian Games cycle and places his chances of featuring at the Olympic Games, Los Angeles 2028, in serious doubt.

In the wake of such violations, the Archery Association of India (AAI) has reiterated the importance of strict adherence to anti-doping rules set by the World Anti-Doping Agency and implemented in India by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Athletes are required to maintain accurate whereabouts filings, including residence, training schedules, and a daily testing slot, with any lapses potentially leading to sanctions.

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Jawkar’s suspension marks a significant interruption in a promising career, with his return to competition only possible after April 18, 2028.