Sanjita Chanu doping test: I am innocent, will challenge suspension

Indian weightlifter Sanjita Chanu on Friday said she was innocent and will challenge the provisional suspension imposed on her for allegedly failing a dope test.

"I am innocent, I have not taken any banned substance. I will challenge this with the help of the national federation," Sanjita told PTI.

Sanjita won a gold in the women's 53kg category in the recent Gold Coast CWG, but was suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) tested positive for testosterone. The sample was taken during an out-of-competition test prior to the World Championship in Anaheim (US) in November last year.

Chanu, however, got the backing of the IWLF general secretary Sahdev Yadav, who said he was confident of the Manipuri's innocence.

 "We don't understand why the dope result took so long. After the sample was taken, she competed in the World Championship in November last and then she won a gold in the Gold Coast CWG in April. We will fight it out why this is happening," he said.

"In any case, we have written that we would go for the 'B' sample test. After we got the results we will hire a top lawyer to present our case at the hearing (at the international federation). I am sure Sanjita has not taken any banned drugs. I am confident we will prove her innocence," he added.

(With PTI inputs)