CIRCUMSTANCES
Question mark over Hafifi’s suspension
REPORTS BY FADHLI ISHAK fadhli.ishak@nst.com.my
HAFIFI Mansor’s provisional suspension by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) recently for failing a doping test has raised a number of concerns. It has been confirmed that the urine sample used for the test was taken during a competition in Melbourne in March, begging the question: Why did it take so long for the world body to announce the result?
National Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) deputy director Nishel Kumar is equally perplexed. However, he has faced a similar situation in the past.
“We have also received a copy of the test which states that the sample was taken in March,” said Nishel.
“What we don’t understand is why it has taken seven months for the result to be made known. It usually takes only a month so we too are keen on finding out what has caused the delay.
“This is, however, something that the association (Malaysian Weightlifting Federation) needs to find out as it is between them and the world body from now on.
“We are here to advise the association (MWF), make sure they act swiftly and also comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requirements.”
Track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom tested positive for the banned substance dexamethasone at the Perlis Malaysia Games in May 2014 but the result of the failed test was only made known in February 2015, due to a miscommunication between the test lab and Adamas.
It is also strange that Hafifi had tested positive for oxymetholone, commonly known as anadrol, which is more popular among bodybuilders than weightlifters.
Oxymetholone, which incurs a mandatory four-year ban for the athlete is considered to be one of the most powerful anabolic steroids available but is also known to cause weight gain and serious side effects.
Not a single weightlifter from IWF’s list of sanctioned athletes from 2008 until B sample will be tested.
“In previous cases (involving Malaysian weightlifters), the samples were tested in Delhi.”
Hafifi has been provisionally suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for testing positive for the anabolic steroid oxymetholone at a competition in Melbourne in March.
“We have only been informed of the result two days ago (Thursday) which is quite late. It is a bit disappointing as Hafifi had gone on to win gold at the Commonwealth Championships recently which also serves as a qualifier for the Commonwealth Games,” said Abu Hanapah.
Hafifi won gold at both the Commonwealth Championships in the Gold Coast in September as well as the Australian Open in Melbourne in March. The sample of the positive test is believed to have been taken during the latter. 2017 had been banned for using the substance.
“I do not know too much about this drug, as far as we are concerned it is classed under the S1 (anabolic agents) by WADA,” added Nishel.
“It is less popular, a lot of weightlifters have tested positive for stanozolol.”
Over a 100 athletes have been sanctioned by IWF for testing positive for the steroid stanozolol during the same 20082017 period.