NEW DELHI: Greco-Roman wrestler Mukesh Khatri has tested positive for the anabolic steroid, epi-methandienone, within a year of being caught for using a masking agent.

Khatri's urine sample was taken at Patiala, where the wrestling team was training for the Guangzhou World wrestling championship, and tested at the Dope Control Centre (DCC) here as part of the usual pre-departure testing conducted by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The samples of all the China-bound wrestlers were collected on September 14 and the results were made available to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on September 29, but by that time Khatri had already competed and lost.

As a procedure, the WFI has informed Khatri about the positive test. The WFI sources said that the wrestler denied taking any performance-enhancing drugs, and has asked for his `B' sample to be tested. Khatri has apparently told the WFI that he had taken common medicine under a doctor's guidance.

Second time

In 2005, Khatri had tested positive for the masking agent, probenecid, in a pre-departure test for the Commonwealth championship at Cape Town. He went on to win the bronze medal there.

On his return, the WFI received a communication from the SAI regarding the positive test and the federation immediately banned the wrestler for two years without even giving him a trial. The ban was later lifted, as the offence only warranted a public warning.

The Dope Control Centre has also notified the WFI about the high levels of testosterone detected in the urine sample of Rohit Patel.

The 96-kg wrestler was also part of the World championship team. An IRMS test for Rohit is scheduled for October 31 at the DCC, according to the WFI source.

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