"Right to request B sample analysis"…Opatniput doping positive, world No. 18 barred from China match
Thailand's world No. 18 Opatniput was provisionally suspended due to furosemide positive from a sample collected on September 17. The notification came one day before the women's team match against China.
Translated from Korean with AI assistance. Read the original. Sources and original publication dates are retained.
The Aichi/Nagoya Asian Games badminton court had a women's team match between China and Thailand scheduled for the 22nd. AFP and Reuters reported that one Thai singles player was scheduled to compete in this match. Age 19, world ranking No. 18. On the 21st, one day before the match, he was notified of provisional suspension.
Opatniput doping, furosemide detected in out-of-competition test in Nagoya on September 17
The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on September 21 that it notified Opatniput of the anti-doping rule violation allegation. The sample in question was from four days prioran out-of-competition test conducted in Nagoya on September 17from which the sample was collected. The detected substance wasfurosemide (furosemide), an always-banned substance corresponding to WADA prohibited list S5 diuretics/masking agents, according to ITA's explanation.
There is much not in the ITA statement. Whether the sample was blood or urine, the detection concentration level, were not specified. How the substance was ingested or whether it was intentional were also not mentioned in the ITA statement or AP/Reuters reports.
Opatniput world ranking No. 18, was scheduled to compete in China match but completely blocked
AP and Reuters reported Opatniput's world ranking aswomen's singles No. 18according to reports as of 2026.09.21). AP added that he is the third-highest ranking among Thai women's singles players, which differs from Thai domestic ranking aggregation.
The scope of provisional suspension does not extend only to competition.AP reportAccording to reports, he cannot participate in competition, training, coaching, and other activities at this Asian Games. The effect took immediate effect and remains in place until the matter is resolved. As of 22nd at 0 o'clock, separate announcements from the Games organizing committee, World Badminton Federation, or Thai Badminton Association were not confirmed.
What is confirmed and what is not, the difference between provisional suspension and final discipline
| Classification | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sample collection | 2026-09-17, out-of-competition test in Nagoya | Confirmed |
| Detected substance | furosemide (S5 diuretics/masking agents) | Confirmed |
| Notification/provisional suspension | 2026-09-21, immediate effect | Confirmed |
| Final rule violation decision | No announcement | Undetermined |
| Confirmed discipline period | No announcement | Undetermined |
| B sample analysis request | Right notified, application status unconfirmed | Undetermined |
ITA stated that the athlete has the right to challenge the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD) and the right to request B sample analysis. Whether Opatniput actually exercised these rights isReuters reportand did not appear anywhere in the ITA statement. ITA stated that the case is ongoing and will not provide further commentary until the procedures are concluded.
AFP reported it as the first known doping case, but the confirmed ITA individual statement does not contain the phrase 'first case'. Malaymail wrote in the summary as if he had already missed the China match, but the same article's body states he was scheduled to compete on Tuesday, with conflicting expressions.
Opatniput prize money and world ranking, runner-up 19,000 dollars, difference in No. 18 and No. 19 notation
Opatniput won a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship, and this year's record shows runner-up at the January Indonesia Masters and semifinals at the May Toyota Thailand Open. According to the prize money distribution table compiled on Wikipedia, the distribution amounts for the two tournaments are19,000 dollarsand 7,250 dollars respectively.
World ranking numbers differ by source. Wikipedia recorded his highest ranking as No. 19 as of July 21, 2026, but AP and Reuters reported No. 18 on the date of announcement. Only the provisional suspension is confirmed; B sample positive or intentional ingestion should not be read as fact. ITA left this one line. "The athlete also has the right to request B sample analysis."
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is furosemide, the substance detected in Opatniput?
ITA explained that furosemide is an always-banned substance corresponding to WADA prohibited list S5 diuretics/masking agents. Always-banned means it is prohibited at any time, including both competition periods and off-season.
Q. Is Opatniput's provisional suspension a confirmed discipline?
No. What has been announced currently is a provisional suspension that applies until the case is resolved, and the final anti-doping rule violation decision or competition ban period has not been announced.
Q. What happened to Opatniput's participation in the China match?
AFP and Reuters reported that he was scheduled to compete in the women's team match against China on September 22. Due to the provisional suspension, he cannot participate in any competition, training, or coaching activities at this tournament.
Related official sites
- International Testing Agency (ITA) — This is the official site of the agency that issued the first statement on this matter
- Thailand Badminton Association — The official site of the association that governs the Thailand national team (separate announcement related to this matter has not been confirmed)
- Aichi/Nagoya Asian Games badminton venue guide — badminton venue page guided by the organizing committee
Representative image · archival photo · not a current match scene photo within the article · photo=Wikimedia Commons(Griff88), CC BY-SA 4.0
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