"An Se-young is my role model": Badminton idol faces shocking 'positive test for banned substance'... Asian Games participation in jeopardy [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

Pichamon Opattiphus, a 19-year-old Thai badminton star scheduled to compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and widely celebrated for her striking appearance, has received an interim suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in a doping control.

Japanese media outlet "Ronspo" reported on the 22nd that "Pichamon, Thailand's princess and a 19-year-old beauty idol badminton player, has been issued an interim suspension from the Asian Games due to a doping violation." The report added that "a positive test for the banned substance furosemide was detected in samples collected immediately after her arrival in Nagoya."

Local Thai media outlets including "AIS Play Sports" and "Siam Sports" also simultaneously reported on the incident.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) officially announced on the 21st that an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) was confirmed for furosemide, a banned substance, in samples collected from Pichamon on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The sample in question was obtained through a doping control conducted outside competition dates at a Nagoya venue on the 17th.

Furosemide is classified as a diuretic and masking agent under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Its use is strictly prohibited not only during competition periods but also outside of them. It is sometimes misused to rapidly eliminate body fluids for short-term weight loss or to increase urine volume, thereby diluting concentrations of other banned substances in the body to evade detection. However, it remains unclear whether Pichamon used this substance for weight reduction purposes or to conceal another drug.

As a result of this action, Pichamon was immediately placed under an interim suspension. Until the procedure is finalized, she is prohibited from participating in all Asian Games competitions, official training sessions, coaching activities, and any external events related to tournaments. Although Pichamon did not secure qualification for the women's singles event at this tournament, her name appears on the women's team roster ahead of the quarterfinal match against China scheduled for the 22nd.

The doping violation has not yet been officially confirmed. Pichamon may file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD) against the interim suspension and has the right to request re-analysis of the B sample. The ITA stated that no further official comments will be issued while relevant procedures are ongoing. According to local media, the Badminton Association of Thailand is preparing an immediate request for B sample analysis.

Known as "Thailand's Angel," Pichamon was among the most talked-about beauty stars at this Asian Games. Hailing from Chiang Mai, she rose instantly to stardom after winning the 2023 World Junior Championships, combining her appearance with athletic prowess. Until early last year, she ranked outside the top 100 globally, but this season has seen dramatic improvement. She secured runner-up finishes at the Indonesia Masters (Super 500) in January and the Orleans Masters (Super 300) in March, then finished third at the Thailand Open (Super 500) in May, climbing to world ranking No. 18.

In an airport interview before boarding her flight to Nagoya upon departure, Pichamon expressed strong confidence: "I have thoroughly prepared both physically and mentally. I have introduced a new training program and refined my playing style," adding, "I want to contribute to winning the gold medal in the team event."

Notably, Pichamon revealed that An Se-young is her role model, making her familiar to domestic fans as well.

The doping scandal involving the badminton fairy, who had gained widespread popularity through advertising modeling, sent shockwaves among Thai local fans. On social networking services (SNS), reactions ranged from disbelief—"This is unbelievable," "Why would such a substance appear?" and "There must have been some mistake"—to supportive messages urging her to prove her innocence through re-testing, noting that the violation has not yet been confirmed.

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*This content was translated by AI.