Doping shock rocks Thailand camp at Asian Games

Badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh has emerged as the first known doping case at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, after the 19-year-old rising star returned a positive test that has rocked Thailand's campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.

The world No.18 returned a positive sample for the banned substance furosemide and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect, the International Testing Agency said in a statement on its website on Monday.

The sample was collected by the ITA during an out-of-competition test on Sept 17 in Nagoya.

Pitchamon had been due to face China on Tuesday in the team event.

"The athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching or participating in any activity during the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026," the ITA said.

The agency noted that Pitchamon can challenge the provisional suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"The athlete also has the right to request analysis of the B-sample," it added.

Furosemide can be used by competitors to shed water rapidly for weight loss.

Queens lose to China

Adding to Thailand's disappointment, the women's volleyball team lost to arch-rivals China in the semi-finals on Monday, missing out on a chance to compete for their first-ever Asian Games gold medal.

In a repeat of last month's AVC Women's Continental Championship final, China avenged their Tianjin final defeat to Thailand, securing their place in the title decider with a 23-25, 25-21, 25-11, 26-28, 15-6 victory at Park Arena Komaki.

The nine-time Asian Games champions will face the winners of the second semi-final between hosts Japan and South Korea in Tuesday's gold medal match. Thailand will face the losing team in the bronze medal match.

Kanjutha marches on

Mixed martial arts fighter Kanjutha Phattaraboonsorn will vie for gold after defeating Indonesia's Fahira Vallensia Hotmauli 3-0 to reach the final of the women's modern 54kg event on Monday.

Kanjutha used her superior technique to land kicks and knee strikes before taking the fight to the ground. Hotmauli adjusted her strategy to focus more on punches but was met with further kicks and knees from the Thai fighter, who then secured a hold, forcing a submission victory in the second round.

The win sent Kanjutha through to the gold medal contest, where she will face Bahrain's Diana Pogosian.

"Today's performance went exactly according to plan, with no errors," said Kanjutha, who is anticipating an exciting final against Pogosian, noting that her opponent is strong and possesses a high-level striking style.

Meanwhile, the men's badminton team defeated Macao 3-0 in their opening tie on Monday, with Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul and Puritat Arree all winning at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.

Kunlavut edged Pui Pang-fong 21-19, 20-22, 21-10 to secure the first point, before Panitchaphon made it 2-0 with a 21-8, 21-7 win over Pui Chi-chon, and Puritat defeated Leon Lok-chong 21-14, 21-12 to complete the victory. They will face Taiwan in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

In the women's event, the Thai team will face China in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

In sepak takraw, the men's regu team claimed another win in Group A, beating Indonesia 3-0, while the women's team also defeated Indonesia 3-0 in their Group A tie.

However, boxer Bunjong Sinsiri exited the tournament early after a 5-0 loss to India's Sumit Kundu on the opening day of boxing at the Nishio Gymnasium. Sumit advances to the last 16, where he will face Iraq's Ali Qasim Hamdan Al-Sarray on Thursday.

Maneevan gets silver

Karate athlete Maneevan Butsawan secured a silver medal for the Thai contingent on Sunday.

Facing Kazakhstan's Sofya Berultseva, a bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020, in the women's kumite +68kg final, Maneevan fought valiantly but could not overcome the strength of the Kazakh athlete, ultimately losing 8-0.

The result marks the first medal for the Thai karate squad, which had set a target of two medals in Nagoya. Her silver added to the three gold medals won earlier in the day by the teqball team.