18 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Gurdaspur judoka Jasleen Saini has returned to competitive judo after being cleared in a doping case, with the 28-year-old now setting his sights on representing India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Saini, who competes in the 66kg category and serves as an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Punjab Police, saw his promising career interrupted after an inadvertent doping violation. He has now resumed his sporting journey.
Career Hit by Doping Suspension
Saini was suspended by the International Testing Agency (ITA) after inadvertently consuming a prohibited substance.
Following the suspension, the Punjab Government placed his Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, the state’s highest sporting honour, in abeyance.
With Saini now cleared of the charges, judo officials have formally approached the authorities seeking the release of the prestigious award.
Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist
Saini already has a strong international record.
He won gold at the 2019 Commonwealth Games and narrowly missed qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics because of a technicality.
His international experience also includes appearances at the World Senior Judo Championship and tournaments in Kuwait City, Madrid, Dushanbe, Tel Aviv and Ulan Bator.
Determined to Make Olympic Comeback
After losing several crucial years of his career, Saini is now focused on rebuilding his competitive form.
His immediate goal is to return to the international circuit and accumulate the results and ranking points required to challenge for a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The International Judo Federation’s Olympic ranking process for Los Angeles 2028 is currently underway, with the qualification list scheduled to be published after the Baku World Senior Championships 2026.
An Unusual Journey Through Georgia
Saini’s career has already included several unusual challenges.
In 2019, he travelled to Georgia for the Tbilisi Grand Prix. After the tournament was cancelled, he became stranded in the country without funds.
Georgian coach Mamuka Kizilashvili offered him accommodation, work and the opportunity to continue training in the coach’s native village of Akhmeta.
Saini accepted the offer and continued training despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coach Praises His Comeback
Saini’s long-time coach Amarjit Shastri has described his return as a remarkable sporting comeback.
The coach said Saini had continued to fight despite the setbacks that disrupted his career, highlighting the determination required to return to competitive sport after a lengthy absence.
Punjab Police Athlete
Alongside his sporting career, Saini is serving as an Assistant Sub-Inspector with the Punjab Police.
His dual role as a police officer and international judoka adds another dimension to his comeback, as he attempts to regain his place among India’s leading judokas in the 66kg category.
Focus Shifts to Los Angeles
With the doping case cleared, Saini can now concentrate on competition rather than the disciplinary proceedings that disrupted his career.
The road to Los Angeles will depend on his performances in international events and his position in the Olympic qualification rankings.
For the Gurdaspur athlete, the objective is now clear: return to the top level and compete for an Olympic place in 2028.