Why When She Called An Se-young Her Role Model? Thai Badminton Star 'Thai Princess' Tests Positive for Doping, Asian Games Participation Virtually Dashed

Pitchamon Opatniputh, a Thai badminton star who was preparing to participate in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, has tested positive for a banned substance in a doping test.

The International Testing Agency officially announced that furosemide, which is designated as a diuretic and a doping masking agent, was detected in Pitchamon's sample.

Furosemide is a drug that rapidly expels water from the body to aid in sudden weight loss, and it is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list, making its use strictly prohibited both in and out of competition.

This sample was collected during an out-of-competition doping test conducted by the International Testing Agency locally in Nagoya.

Upon receiving the results, Pitchamon was immediately provisionally suspended, making her ineligible to participate in any matches, training, and coaching activities during the Asian Games.

Previously, soccer player Andre Onana also received a one-year suspension after the same component was detected.

Born in 2007, Pitchamon is the champion of the 2023 World Junior Championships and has gained immense popularity in Thailand, earning her the nickname "Thai Princess" for her outstanding skills and appearance.

Pitchamon has also named South Korea's An Se-young as her role model.

Pitchamon's side can file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport or request a B-sample analysis, but her participation in the Asian Games has virtually been dashed.

Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Seo Byeong-wook | Design by Lee Jeong-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.