Afghan boxer Mohammad Khaibar Nooristani has been temporarily suspended for a failed doping test in the ongoing 2023 Asian Games. It was the first doping test of the 19th season of the continental multi-sport tournament taking place in Hangzhou, China.
According to the International Testing Agency, the Afghan boxer lost his preliminary rounds in his 71kg weight class on Monday, September 25, and later tested positive for two banned substances.
The sample was taken four days before his match and the test was done on September 21, Thursday. The international body issued a statement saying: “The sample was collected by the ITA at the Hangzhou Asian Games during an out-of-competition anti-doping control conducted on September 21, 2023. The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect.” He has the right to request an analysis of the B-sample.”
Earlier this week, Olympic Council of Asia Anti-Doping Committee Adviser Mani Jegathesan issued a stark warning, saying players found guilty of drug use would be banned from competition with immediate effect.
With more than 12,000 athletes participating in the multi-sport event, testing every one would be impossible. Therefore, the advisor said that priority will be given to players who create or break world records. He also said that players can be tested at any time.
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