Jha Signed to 1st Div Bundesliga

What's the general consensus on the rumour mill in US and worldwide table tennis about his not being present for three doping checks? Missing one or two, sure that can happen. But three? Just a bit suspicious if you ask me. And I didn't get a sense that he made much of an effort to clear his name after getting banned but maybe I just missed his press statements.

Interesting you mentioned about 'whether he can continue to pass tests going forward'. I've long wondered if there aren't a whole host of substances that can help a professional table tennis player train and player better. There must be stuff out there that helps with strength, focus, nerves, etc. 

Bitzeglio said on the Adamcast that Jha won't be eligible to compete until March 15.  Dates of the US Olympic Trials have not been announced yet.  He wasn't sure if Jha would be able to compete in it.

amateur wrote: And here's the explanation for that surprising extension: https://www.usada.org/sanction/arbitrator-confirms-kanak-jha-violated-provisional-suspension/ Despite being provisionally suspended, Jha participated in an activity organized by a member organization of USA Table Tennis on December 14, 2022, which is against the rules for athletes who are provisionally suspended. Because he violated his provisional suspension, USADA determined that Jha could not receive credit for the time he spent provisionally suspended.

"an activity organized by a member organization of USA Table Tennis on December 14, 2022"

At this point it seems there is somewhere a dark intent to break him and his career. Taking away not only his 2024 salary but also his participation to the Olympics when he is the best US representative is not enough to feed any conspiracy theory but we are getting dagerously close to it.

I don't know what to make of Bitzigeio's attitude in the Adamcast (thanks to talltimber for mentioning it, I would have missed it). He was surprisingly nonchalant, almost cheerful, as if he was delivering good news - "sure, it's another three and a half months of suspension that we didn't expect, but he's preparing to come back stronger than ever etc." So it doesn't sound like anyone's going to court over this latest twist. His new German club also said something to the effect that they didn't understand why USATT isn't fighting more on Jha's behalf, after all they could use him in the world championships in February.

Edited by amateur - 12/03/2023 at 8:02am

Kanak is a 4 time winner of the Nationals. He hasn't played in the last couple that he was eligible.

dewnyc wrote: stiltt wrote: "an activity organized by a member organization of USA Table Tennis on December 14, 2022" what was that? An exhibition at PingPod https://www.instagram.com/tv/CmKupwiKfm5/

Edited by NextLevel - Yesterday at 11:17am

I would not have guessed that PingPod was a USATT affiliated club, but they are listed on the USATT website.

jfolsen wrote: I would not have guessed that PingPod was a USATT affiliated club, but they are listed on the USATT website.

I tend to think USADA association exists to protect the health of American athletes and insure a leveled playing field in the business of sports, which ever comes 1st in their mind; but in this case, they not only take down an athlete but also the sport itself, shooting themselves in the foot in the way and losing some legitimacy.

Edited by stiltt - Yesterday at 1:36pm

stiltt wrote: I tend to think USADA association exists to protect the health of American athletes and insure a leveled playing field in the business of sports, which ever comes 1st in their mind; but in this case, they not only take down an athlete but also the sport itself, shooting themselves in the foot in the way and losing some legitimacy.

Twiddler wrote: Kanak missed 3 tests and was suspended for one year.  After missing one test he should have been on high alert.  Then he does an event at a USATT club that is clearly laid out in the suspension that he is not allowed to do. Just mind boggling what he has done to his career.