The 29-year-old, an under-125 kilograms freestyle bronze medallist as part of the England team at Glasgow 2014, failed an out-of-competition test for a metabolite of stanozolol on September 20 last year.

Sandhu, who also competed under the name Chinu XXX, claimed he had not acted intentionally and the positive sample was a result of taking a contaminated supplement.

An independent National Anti-Doping Panel upheld the charge, based on a lack of evidence presented by the wrestler.

His backdated four-year suspension means he will be ruled out of competition until October 2020.

"Chinu Sandhu was one of this country’s leading freestyle wrestlers having won a bronze medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and represented Great Britain at the European Games in Baku in 2015," UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said in a statement following the verdict.

She added: "It is sad that his reputation within the sport has been tainted because of his own actions.

"Athletes are solely responsible for any substance which is found in their system, regardless of whether there is an intention to cheat or not. 

"No-one can ever guarantee that a supplement is free from prohibited substances and taking them will always carry an element of risk.

"Before taking any supplement, athletes must assess the need". 

British Wrestling Association chief executive Colin Nicholson described the situation as "extremely disappointing news for the athlete and the sport".

He added: "The sport is working with UKAD to make sure that athletes are educated in anti-doping.

"The British Wrestling Association has a zero tolerance approach to doping in sport and believes in wrestling clean."