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30 July 2026
The ITA reports that the Nigerian weightlifter Brenda Uchenna Bosah was sanctioned with a 3-year period of ineligibility after testing positive for exogenous testosterone and adiol(s) following an out-of-competition doping control on 2 March 2026.
These substances are listed under class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. They are prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and are classified as non-specified substances. These substances have potent muscle-building and strength-increasing properties.
As previously reported, when notified of the case, the athlete was provisionally suspended with immediate effect.
Due to her early admission of the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), the athlete was entitled to a one-year reduction of the otherwise four-year period of ineligibility usually imposed for an ADRV for the presence of exogenous testosterone and adiol(s), as set forth in article 10.8.1 of the IWF anti-doping rules.¹
The ITA issued the sanction on behalf of the IWF in accordance with article 8.3.3 of the IWF anti-doping rules (and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code).² The athlete’s period of ineligibility is effective from 5 June 2026 until 4 June 2029. In addition, all the athlete’s individual competitive results from 2 March 2026 onwards have been disqualified.
Parties with a right of appeal may challenge the decision before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the IWF anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ Article 10.8.1 of the IWF ADR (and World Anti-Doping Code) provides for a one-year reduction for certain ADRVs based on early admission and acceptance of sanction. This applies where an athlete after being notified by IWF/ITA of a potential ADRV that carries an asserted period of ineligibility of four (4) or more years, admits the violation and accepts the asserted period of ineligibility no later than twenty (20) days after receiving notice of an ADRV charge. Where the athlete receives the one-year reduction under Article 10.8.1, no further reduction in the period of ineligibility is allowed.
² When an athlete does not challenge the assertion of an ADRV and does not request a hearing, anti-doping organisations have the possibility to issue a written decision sanctioning the athlete and imposing the applicable consequences without having to refer the case to a hearing panel. This is provided in articles 8.3.2 and 8.3.3 of the IWF anti-doping rules and article 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code.
