India’s first World Rowing Cup gold is at risk after Lakshay, the bowman of the winning lightweight men’s double, returned an adverse analytical finding for stanozolol, a prohibited anabolic agent found on WADA’s prohibited list.
The Army rower has been provisionally suspended by India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). His sample was collected from an out-of-competition test conducted at the Army Rowing Node in Pune on May 25, more than a month before the World Cup final.
Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh won the LM2x at World Rowing Cup III on Lake Rotsee, Lucerne, on June 28. Their 6:26.09 finish delivered India’s maiden gold at World Cup level, but the timing of the sample could affect that result.
Gold medal subject to anti-doping process
If the anti-doping charge is upheld, Lakshay’s results following the sample collection could be disqualified. That period includes the Lucerne final, meaning the sanction could remove the crew’s victory from the record and cost Singh the title as well.
NADA’s notice said the Sample A analysis was conducted at the WADA-accredited National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi. It imposed a provisional suspension pending resolution of the case, according to The Tribune.
Lakshay can request analysis of his B sample. Under NADA’s published results-management process, the retained sample may be tested within seven days of notification. A negative B sample would render the entire result negative.
Balaji Maradappa, president of the Rowing Federation of India, said the federation would support the request.
“He has to apply, the federation can only support him. But we will (request for B sample test),” Maradappa told The Times of India.
Maradappa also said Lakshay had returned negative tests at the 2025 Asian Championships and on June 12 this year. If the charge stands and no basis for a reduced sanction is established, Lakshay could receive a four-year ban.
India considers a new LM2x combination
The suspension has also disrupted India’s plans for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where Lakshay and Singh had been considered strong medal prospects. The competition is scheduled to begin on September 19.
Lakshay won the Asian lightweight double title with Ajay Tyagi in Vietnam last year and also took silver in the quadruple sculls. His earlier results include double-sculls gold at the 2022 Asian Junior Rowing Championships in Thailand.
Maradappa said Tyagi was already travelling as a reserve. The federation also wants to test Rohit alongside Singh, although it would need the Indian Olympic Association to amend the entry list.
The immediate target is the World Championships in Amsterdam from August 24 to 30. Until the B-sample process and disciplinary case are settled, Lakshay remains provisionally suspended and the Lucerne result remains subject to the outcome of the case.
