Gymnast Deepa Karmakar Banned for 21 Months for Doping

New Delhi: Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar was suspended for a period of 21 months by the International Testing Agency (ITA) after testing positive for the use of a prohibited substance.

Because of this 21-month ban, she will not be able to take part in all four Apparatus World Cup Series tournaments (Cottbus, Doha, Baku, and Cairo) as well as at least three of the six World Challenge Cup Series. By the time the ban ends, the Olympic qualifier, the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp (September 23-October 8) will be ongoing.

As per reports, the ace gymnast tested positive for Higenamine. The positive sample was collected on October 11, 2021.

According to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), higenamine has mixed adrenergic receptor activity, which means it could act as a general stimulant.

Dipa rose to fame in the 2016 Rio Olympics with a stunning fourth-place finish highlighted by the death-defying Produnova vault.