Doping Setback Hits India’s Weightlifting Team, Dilbagh Singh Exits CWG Team

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Last Updated:July 23, 2026, 16:45 IST

India's CWG weightlifting quota cut to 11 after doping violations, Dilbagh Singh removed from team.

India's weightlifting quota at CWG has been reduced (Representative Image/AFP)

In what has come as an embarrassing moment for India, weightlifter Dilbagh Singh has been removed from India’s Commonwealth Games team after the nation’s quota was cut after several Anti-Doping Rule Violations during the qualification period.

India’s weightlifting quota for the Games has been reduced from 12 to 11, leaving the Indian Weightlifting Federation surprised. The federation had announced a 12-member team, led by Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu and revealed that it was informed about the quota cut only on Wednesday.

Earlier on Thursday, it came into light that judoka Arun Kumar has also been snubbed from the squad.

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“The federation got to know about the reduction of quota from 12 to 11 lifters only yesterday. Since Dilbagh is suffering from a back injury and didn’t train at all during the preparatory camp in Birmingham, a decision was made to withdraw him," a source said while speaking to PTI.

N Ajith (71kg), Sairaj Pardeshi (88kg) and Harcharan Singh (110kg) were ruled out after being handed doping bans ahead of the CWG. Women’s lifter Vanshita Verma (86kg) was also sanctioned for an anti-doping rule violation during the qualification period.

The reduction in quota is another setback for Indian weightlifting, which has faced sanctions due to doping offences.

Who is Dilbagh Singh?

Punjab lifter Dilbagh has established himself as a dependable performer in India’s men’s heavyweight categories, rising from a National Games gold medallist to making his mark on the national and international stage.

Dilbagh announced himself at the junior level by clinching gold in the boys’ 96kg category with a total lift of 295kg. He then transitioned to the senior circuit, where he continued his rise by setting new records at the National Senior Championships.

Dilbagh had emerged as one of India’s reliable medal contenders in weightlifting. Over the past year, he has bagged podium finishes at the Commonwealth level while competing against the world’s best as well, paving the way for his maiden CWG appearance in Glasgow, a campaign that has now been cancelled.

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Key Questions Answered

India's medal hopes in weightlifting have been impacted by doping violations, leading to a reduced quota of 11 lifters for the Commonwealth Games.

Steps to prevent future doping violations in Indian sports include criminalizing doping, expanding testing programs, enhancing education and awareness initiatives, and strengthening monitoring of athletes.

News sports other-sports Doping Setback Hits India’s Weightlifting Team, Dilbagh Singh Exits CWG Team

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