IT’S SABOTAGE, SAYS HAFIFI
Commonwealth Games champion claims he never took banned drugs
REIGNING Commonwealth Games champion Hafifi Mansor has rocked Malaysian sports by claiming that his failed drug test could be a case of sabotage.
The 27-year-old confirmed on Monday that he had failed his B sample drug test, which was examined in Sydney on Nov 7, at the Armed Forces Sports Council Awards event, where he was named the best male athlete for 2016.
An emotionally drained Hafifi was evasive on the topic at first but later opened up to the media after the event.
"I am quite sure that I will be suspended...it (result) is not in my favour," said Hafifi.
"I have to forget about defending my 69kg gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next year.
"My only hope now is that I will receive a shorter suspension, less than four years if possible.
"I have been told that Malaysian Weightlifting Federation president Datuk Ong Poh Eng is currently at the World Championships in the United States and is discussing the matter with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
"The dose (of the banned substance) was quite high, hopefully Poh Eng can help me get a lighter suspension.
"He will be back in Malaysia on Saturday and hopefully we will get a clearer picture then.
"There is still an investigation (hearing) process to go through, so I will just sit tight for now."
Hafifi admitted that he is devastated over the whole issue and has stressed that he never took any banned substances.
He tested positive for the anabolic steroid oxymetholone at the Australian Open in March, though the result was only made known by the IWF in October.
"I feel there is something wrong, the sample was taken in March and only released in October.
"I have never taken any banned substances, I feel I could have been set up.
"It is devastating and I am at a loss now.
"Weightlifting has been my life since I was a kid. I have been living in Bukit Jalil (attending school at Bukit Jalil Sports School under the National Sports Council’s support) since I was 13.”
Anabolic steroids are viewed very seriously by the World Anti-Doping Agency and carries a mandatory four year suspension if found guilty.
Hafifi will miss out on the prime years of his career if he is slapped with a fouryear ban.