Thai badminton player Pichamon Opatniputh has received a provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned substance during doping tests at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on September 21 that a sample taken from Opatniputh tested positive for the banned substance furosemide.
The ITA, which was tasked by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to manage doping tests and results for the event, conducted out-of-competition testing in Nagoya, Japan, on September 17.
As a result, Opatniputh will remain provisionally suspended until the conclusion of the relevant procedures. This suspension prohibits her from participating in any sporting activities, including training and coaching, during the tournament. Opatniputh has not yet competed in the event and was scheduled to participate in the women's team quarterfinals on September 22.
Furosemide is classified as a diuretic and masking agent on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) prohibited list under category S5. Its use is banned at all times, as it can be utilized for rapid weight loss by expelling water from the body.
Athletes have the right to contest the provisional suspension. They can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and request an analysis of their B sample.
The ITA stated, "This is an ongoing matter, and there will be no further comments while the investigation is underway."
Born in 2007, Opatniputh has been recognized as a rising star in Thai women's badminton. She is currently ranked 18th in the world in women's singles and has cited An Se-young as her role model, gaining popularity among fans in Thailand. She has recently made a name for herself in international competitions and was considered a key player for Thailand in this Asian Games.
Local media outlet Bangkok Post reported that this incident marks the first doping case identified at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, creating uncertainty for the Thai women's badminton team in the team event.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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