New Delhi/Alive News: Indian para-athlete Neeraj Yadav, a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist, reportedly died by suicide at his residence on Tuesday night. According to India’s para-athletics head coach S. Satyanarayana, Neeraj allegedly consumed poison. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been officially confirmed.
The 42-year-old athlete was reportedly under emotional stress after being handed a four-year ban for a doping violation. His post-mortem examination was conducted at a hospital in Delhi.
Doping Ban Affected His Sporting Career
Neeraj tested positive for a banned substance and was serving a four-year suspension. The Asian Paralympic Committee subsequently stripped him of two gold medals won at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
Satyanarayana said Neeraj had contacted him a few months ago to ask whether he could participate in selection trials for the upcoming Asian Para Games. However, his suspension was still in effect.
The coach said the doping case also affected Neeraj’s prospects of securing a government job and receiving financial rewards.
Sumit Antil Visits Hospital
Following news of Neeraj’s death, Paralympic champion Sumit Antil and para-athlete Vipin Kasana reportedly reached GTB Hospital.
Neeraj competed in the F55 category and won a javelin throw gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta. At the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, he won gold medals in javelin throw and discus throw before the medals were withdrawn following the doping case.
Neeraj had developed post-polio residual paralysis at the age of seven. He initially played wheelchair tennis before moving to para-athletics.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain subject to official confirmation.
