“Something dangerous came out in the urine test”: North Korean wrestler Ro Yu-chol hit with provisional suspension after failing drug test

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Ro Yu-chol, a flagship wrestler for North Korea, has been provisionally suspended from competition following a positive drug test result.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on its official website on the 4th (Korean time) that prohibited substances were detected in Ro Yu-chol’s doping control urine sample.

The detected substance, furosemide, is a medication that can be used to promote urination and temporarily reduce body weight, and it is listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

Furosemide was collected during an out-of-competition test conducted by the ITA on March 13, 2025, resulting in an Atypical Finding (ATF).

The ITA stated, “In relation to the detection of a diuretic, and in accordance with the requirements of WADA officials, the ITA conducted an investigation to determine whether the ATF was caused by inadvertent contamination from medication taken by the athlete prior to sample collection.” It added, “However, the athlete failed to prove that the ATF was the result of medication contamination. Consequently, the ATF was converted into an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) under Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance) and Article 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method) of the UWW Anti-Doping Rules.”

Ro Yu-chol requested analysis of the B sample. If the B sample analysis confirms the results of the A sample, the case will proceed as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The athlete will be given an opportunity to explain the positive test result.

Ro Yu-chol has been provisionally suspended under Article 7.4.2 of the UWW Anti-Doping Rules until the matter is finally resolved. Ro Yu-chol may file an objection and request the lifting of the suspension.

Ro Yu-chol is a wrestler who has achieved significant results. He won a gold medal in the Greco-Roman 55 kg category at the 2024 Asian Championships, earned a bronze medal in 2025, and recently took home a silver medal after moving up to the 60th kg weight class at the Ulaanbaatar Open in June.

Ro Yu-chol was also named to the North Korean team for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, but ultimately did not compete.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original