Top Jamaican martial artist, Kenneth Edwards has confirmed reports that he has tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide.
The taekwondoist returned the positive test for the banned diuretic during an out-of-competition test carried out by the Jamaica Anti-doping Commission (JADCO).
“This is to officially indicate that I was notified of a positive test for a banned substance on September 18, 2013. I have since asked that the B sample be tested, and I am awaiting that result,” he said in a statement released on Monday night.
“I have not competed since July 16 and was in preparation for international competition in October. It means that there is no practical reason to use a diuretic for any kind of preparation. I have every intention of challenging these findings.”
Edwards, who bagged heavyweight bronze at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in 2010, is the eighth Jamaican to test positive for a banned substance in 2013. One footballer, Jermaine Hue, and six track and field athletes–Veronica Campbell-Brown, Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson, Traves Smikle, Allison Randall and Damar Robinson–are the others.
–CMC