In a significant setback for Indian boxing, the nation relinquishes its Olympic quota spot in the women’s 57kg category following the suspension of Parveen Hooda for three whereabouts failures within a year.
Hooda, a bronze medalist at the 2022 world championship and an Asian Games bronze medalist, was handed a 22-month suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after failing to comply with whereabouts filing requirements from April 2022 to March 2023.
The Boxing Federation of India confirmed Hooda’s suspension, which has been backdated by eight months, resulting in a 14-month ineligibility period starting from May 17, 2024.
As a consequence, Parveen Hooda will miss the Paris Games this year, with only Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) remaining in the Olympic-bound group.
India will have another opportunity to qualify in the 57kg category at the final Olympic qualifier starting on May 24 in Bangkok, but only reserves registered by April 11 can compete.
