Three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies at 42

New Delhi, Oct 28 : Three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist and accomplished Indian para-athlete Neeraj Yadav has allegedly died by suicide after consuming poison at his residence in Sonipat, Haryana. He was 42.

Yadav was rushed to a hospital in Delhi, where doctors declared him brought dead. A postmortem examination was underway on Wednesday. The circumstances surrounding his death have not yet been officially established.

Yadav, who competed in the F55 category of para-athletics, won three gold medals at the Asian Para Games. He secured one gold at the 2018 Jakarta edition and two at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

He is survived by his wife and three-year-old daughter. Paralympic champion Sumit Antil and javelin thrower Vipin Kassana were with the bereaved family following the news of his death.

S Satyanarayana, head coach of the Indian para-athletics team, confirmed Yadav's death and described the incident as extremely unfortunate.

"Neeraj has died by suicide. It is extremely disturbing and unfortunate," Satyanarayana said.

According to sources, Yadav was reportedly under emotional distress after missing the recently concluded Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya earlier this month due to a doping suspension.

However, Satyanarayana said it would not be appropriate to speculate about the reasons behind the incident. He noted that Yadav would naturally have wanted to compete at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, but his suspension had not yet ended, making him ineligible.

Yadav was provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in 2023 after testing positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid prohibited under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

Despite the setback, Yadav remained one of India's accomplished para-athletes. Diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis at the age of seven, he initially pursued wheelchair tennis before switching to para-athletics.

He subsequently represented India at international competitions in the F55 category, which includes seated field events such as shot put, discus and javelin.