Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – The ITA sanctions Thai athlete Pitchamon Opatniputh for her anti-doping rule violation
The International Testing Agency (ITA), on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), reports that Thai badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh has been sanctioned for her anti-doping rules under the OCA anti-doping rules.
As previously reported, a sample collected from badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh during an out-of-competition anti-doping control on 17 September 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, returned an adverse analytical finding¹ for furosemide.
Furosemide is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S5 Diuretics and Masking Agents. It is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is classified as a specified substance. Furosemide can be used by athletes to excrete water for rapid weight loss.
Pursuant to the athlete’s request, on 24 September 2026, her B-sample was opened and analysed in the presence of an independent witness. The B-sample analysis confirmed the presence of furosemide.
The athlete accepted the consequences of her anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) under the OCA anti-doping rules (OCA ADR), namely (i) the finding of the ADRV, (ii) ineligibility for and exclusion from the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and (iii) loss of accreditation for the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
The matter is considered as concluded from the perspective of the OCA and has been referred to Badminton World Federation for a determination of further consequences.
There will be no further comments on this case.
The original press release can be found here: https://ita.sport/news/asian-games-aichi-nagoya-2026-the-ita-sanctions-thai-athlete-pitchamon-opatniputh-for-her-anti-doping-rule-violation/
