File photo of K.M. Deeksha of Madhya Pradesh winning the women’s 1500m event at the 62nd National Inter State Athletics Championship at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on June 16, 2023.
| Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR
The National record holder in women’s 1500m, K.M. Deeksha, has tested positive for a banned substance and is likely to miss the Commonwealth Games, according to sources.
The 27-year-old Deeksha, who set the National record of 4:04.78 in Los Angeles two years ago, last competed at the Indian Open Athletics Series in Jaipur on April 5 and clocked 4:25.74. She skipped the Federation meet, a crucial qualifying event for the Commonwealth Games, in Ranchi last month.
Deeksha’s coach S.K. Prasad said she left the Madhya Pradesh Athletics Academy (MPAA) in April. “She sought a ‘no objection certificate’ to represent Uttar Pradesh, perhaps with an aim to get a good job there. But we said if she wants to continue with the MPAA, then she must represent Madhya Pradesh,” Prasad told The Hindu.
Published – June 02, 2026 05:54 pm IST
