New Straits Times

HAFIFI IN HOT WATER

Weightlift­er tests positive for steroid

- FADHLI ISHAK fadhli.ishak@nst.com.my

FOLLOWING the doping and rape incidents involving national divers as well as the volunteer wheelchair tennis coach jailed for sodomy with ballboys recently, Malaysian sports suffered yet another heavy blow yesterday.

The Internatio­nal Weightlift­ing Federation (IWF) announced on Thursday that they have provisiona­lly suspended national weightlift­er Hafifi Mansor for testing positive for the anabolic steroid oxymetholo­ne.

Hafifi, a gold medalist at the 2014 Glasgow Commonweal­th Games, could face a four-year suspension as oxymetholo­ne is a performanc­e enhancing substance which boosts the production of red blood cells and promotes muscle growth.

It is viewed as a serious offence by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and it is placed under the S1 (anabolic agents) category.

Hafifi, however, has the option to have his B sample tested.

Malaysian Weightlift­ing Federation (MWF) president Datuk Ong Poh Eng claimed that the associatio­n are in the dark over the issue and will seek clarificat­ion from IWF.

“We only found out about this yesterday. We are unclear on the details of when the test was conducted,” said Poh Eng.

“From what we understand the sample was taken during an event in Melbourne in March, however, this is something I will have to confirm with IWF and I will be contacting them.

“I met Hafifi today and he claimed that he did not take anything (with banned substances). Whatever it is I have to get more details before we can decide on what further action to take.”

It is believed that the urine sample was taken during the Australian Open held in Melbourne in March, where Hafifi won the men's under-69kg class gold.

Hafifi could not be reached for comment, however, a trusted source disclosed that he is keen on having his B sample tested.

 ??  ?? Hafifi Mansor claims he did not take any banned drugs.
Hafifi Mansor claims he did not take any banned drugs.

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