Bronze medallist Shavkatov temporarily suspended after positive doping test

Uzbekistan's Asian Games bronze medallist Nodirbek Shavkatov has been temporarily suspended after testing positive in a doping test. The mixed martial arts athlete is the first medallist at the ongoing Asian Games to show the presence of a banned substance in his body.

Shavkatov is the third athlete to test positive in a doping test at the ongoing Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. According to the International Testing Agency (ITA), the banned substance 'Meldonium', used in the treatment of heart disease, was found in his collected sample. This drug mainly helps increase athletes' physical endurance and quickly relieve muscle fatigue, and is completely banned in the sporting world.

Just a day earlier, Turkmenistan's karateka Dayanch Keletliyev also tested positive in a doping test for using the same substance, 'Meldonium'. However, as per the rules, Shavkatov has the opportunity to appeal against this temporary suspension as well as to apply for re-testing of his 'B' sample.