Games-Ghanaian Boxer Samed suspended over failed drug test
Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Boxing - Men's Light Heavyweight - Last 16 - Kokugikan Arena - Tokyo, Japan - July 28, 2021. Referee gives a standing count to Shakul Samed of Ghana after he fell on the ground during his fight against Bayram Malkan of Turkey REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Ghanaian boxer Shakul Samed has been suspended from the Commonwealth Games after testing positive for a banned substance at the competition in Birmingham, officials said on Friday.
Samed's A sample was found to contain the banned diuretic and masking agent Furosemide, the Commonwealth Games Federation said in a statement.
"He has therefore been suspended with immediate effect," the statement said.
"He will now have the opportunity to provide further information, including requesting analysis of his B sample, before any charge is issued."
Samed could not be reached for comment and the Ghana Boxing Federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The light-heavyweight boxer was scheduled to face Luc Jean Rosalba on Friday but did not show up for the weigh in.
Samed, who competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is the first athlete to fail a drug test at the Birmingham Games, which began on Friday.
