Tragic Death of Para-Athlete Neeraj Yadav Amid Doping Suspension

On October 28, 2026, Neeraj Yadav, a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist in the F55 seated throwing category, was found dead at his Delhi residence. A post-mortem examination began at a Delhi hospital the same day. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause or circumstances of his death.

Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide

Born February 10, 1984 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Yadav was diagnosed with post-poliomyelitis residual paralysis at age seven. He switched from wheelchair tennis to para-athletics in 2015 and quickly rose to prominence, winning gold in men’s F55 javelin at the 2018 Asian Para Games, Jakarta and both javelin and discus at the 2023 Asian Para Games, Hangzhou.

Diagnosed with polio at 7, Neeraj Yadav, 42, won 3 Asian Para Games golds before a doping ban and a life cut short Three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide Three-Time Asian Para Games Gold Medallist Neeraj Yadav Found Dead At Home The HinduAsian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide CNN-News18Three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide at 42 Neeraj Yadav death: 3-time Asian Para Games gold medallist found dead at 42 amid doping suspension India TV

In October 2023, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) collected an out-of-competition sample in Bengaluru that tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. NADA provisionally suspended Yadav in 2024, and the Asian Paralympic Committee later stripped his two 2023 gold medals and the associated government cash reward. Yadav contested the finding, requesting DNA testing of the sample.

Three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide

Chief head coach S. Satyanarayana confirmed Yadav’s death and expressed shock, noting that the athlete’s body remained at the hospital. He refrained from linking the suicide directly to the doping suspension, stating he could not speculate on the exact reasons. NADA’s provisional suspension after the positive test remains the official disciplinary measure. No further legal or investigative statements have been released regarding the death.

India TV

No named critics or organizations offered substantive counter-arguments about the death or the doping case within the provided sources.

Three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide

All sources agree that Yadav’s death is under investigation and that a post-mortem is underway. Details differ on the suspected method: some reports mention “consumed poison,” while others simply note “suicide” without specifying means. No official cause of death has been released, leaving the precise circumstances unresolved.

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

• “Neeraj has died by suicide. It is very unfortunate that such a thing has happened,” — S. Satyanarayana, chief head coach of the Indian para athletics team

Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide

• “I can’t speculate the exact reason but if you ask me, I would say a sportsperson should face the highs and lows with equanimity. It’s unfortunate that he chose this far and took the extreme step.” — S. Satyanarayana

The Hindu

The post-mortem findings and any subsequent police investigation will determine the official cause of death. The anti-doping disciplinary panel may also review Yadav’s request for DNA verification of the 2023 sample, though no timeline has been announced.

ABP Live