KUALA LUMPUR: Six-time world champion Datuk Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah is devastated to hear that a bodybuilder has tested positive for a banned substance at the National Championships.
The Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (ADAMAS) had said that an athlete's sample, from the competition in Johor Bahru last month, showed the presence of prohibited substances including Stanozolol and its metabolites such as Stanozolol‐1´N‐glucuronide and 16β-Hydroxy-stanozolol.
Syarul, who was named the 2023 Sportsman of the Year, said the public should not look at the sport negatively and that athletes are responsible for their conduct.
He added that the athlete who tested positive is probably not from the national set-up as bodybuilders are periodically tested.
"This is a blow to the bodybuilding image in Malaysia. As a world champion, I'm very disappointed because many national bodybuilders worked hard to improve the image of the sport," said Syarul who is now a coach with national bodybuilders.
"I hope people, the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the National Sports Council won't blame the sport. The individual, who is guilty, is responsible for his own conduct. We cannot blame the sport because so many athletes have worked hard to win and bring honour to the country.
"I don't think the national bodybuilders are involved because we monitor them closely and at international competitions, the doping testings are very stringent including from the Sea Games level. So I think this athlete probably trained outside and is not from the national setup.
"As a former athlete and national coach, I always tell the athletes to not get involved with banned substances, because they are not only illegal, they also cause health issues."
Meanwhile Malaysia Body Building Federation secretary, Major (rtd) Syed Fairus Syed Ali, said he was shocked by the doping incident and will contact ADAMAS for more details.
"This is shocking news for us, we will get in touch with ADAMAS for further details before commenting on the matter," said Syed Ali.