7 bodybuilders hit with two—year ban

SINGAPORE: Seven bodybuilders who tested positive for prohibited substances have been given two—year bans with immediate effect.

They are Low Xiang Hua Zen, Tan Chin Boon, Danie Dharmu, Shahanizar Johar, Shalfulhaq Ahmad Ishak, Khusnady Mohamad Ismail and Muhammad Firdaus Zainal.

The banned substances the bodybuilders tested positive for include anabolic steroids and diuretics.

A statement from the Singapore Sports Council said seven out of eight bodybuilders tested positive following in—competition testing at the 50th Singapore National Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship on July 1.

The athletes were given the right to request for their B sample to be analysed.

However, none of the seven athletes responded by the July 31 deadline.

The National Anti—Doping Disciplinary Committee, appointed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, met on Monday to review the cases and decided on the ban.

The athletes are ineligible to participate, as an athlete or support personnel, in any sport during the period of the ban.

They are also disqualified from the 50th National Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2012 and all results, medals, points and prizes attained at the event have been forfeited.

The athletes have until August 19 to submit an appeal.

— CNA/wm