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21 July 2025
The ITA reports that weightlifter Dae Hee Kwon has agreed¹ to the consequences for his anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).
Dae Hee Kwon provided a sample under the testing authority of the IWF during an out-of-competition doping control performed on 26 February 2025, which yielded an adverse analytical finding² (AAF) for trimetazidine.
Trimetazidine is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. It is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is classified as a non-specified substance. Trimetazidine is a drug used inter alia to treat and prevent heart-related conditions by increasing blood flow to the heart.
When notified of the case, the athlete was provisionally suspended with immediate effect.³
The athlete did not challenge the ADRV and agreed with the consequences applicable as per the rules. Accordingly, the case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences.
Due to his early admission of the anti-doping rule violation, 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 the prohibited substance as set forth in article 10.8.1 of the IWF anti-doping rules.⁴
The athlete’s period of ineligibility is from 14 April 2025 until 13 April 2028. In addition, all the athlete’s individual competitive results from 26 February 2025 to the start of the provisional suspension are disqualified.
The decision may be challenged before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the IWF anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ Athletes have the right to choose not to have their case referred to a hearing panel. In these instances, the anti-doping organisation will assess the athlete’s case file and establish the applicable consequences pursuant to the anti-doping rules and the athlete will have the right to accept the proposed consequences. If the athlete refuses the proposed consequences, the case is transferred to a hearing panel. This resolution mechanism is provided for in articles 8.3.1 of the IWF anti-doping rules and 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code and is commonly referred to as an agreement on consequences and is deemed an IWF/ITA decision.
² A report from a WADA-accredited laboratory that, consistent with the International Standard for Laboratories, establishes in a sample the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers or evidence of the use of a prohibited method.
³ The information about the Provisional Suspension was publicly disclosed by the ITA shortly after its imposition: The ITA notifies weightlifter Dae Hee Kwon of an apparent anti-doping rule violation – International Testing Agency.
⁴ 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.
