Seoul: South Korean teen weightlifter Kwon Dae-hee has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. The International Testing Agency (ITA), which manages an independent anti-doping program for the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), announced this week that it had notified Kwon of "an adverse analytical finding for trimetazidine" and had provisionally banned him in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the IWF Anti-Doping Rules.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the ITA found trimetazidine in Kwon's sample collected during an out-of-competition test on February 26 this year. Trimetazidine is listed on the 2025 World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. It is known to aid heart-related conditions by increasing blood flow to the heart and potentially enhancing endurance during physical activity. The substance gained attention when Iga Swiatek, a former world No. 1 in women's tennis and five-time Grand Slam winner, tested positive last summer.

The ITA stated that Kwon has the right to request the analysis of his B-sample and to challenge his provisional suspension. "If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered to be a confirmed anti-doping rule violation," the ITA said in a statement. "If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The athlete will have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result."

Kwon, 19, secured the 2024 world junior title in the men's 81-kilogram event and holds South Korean national records in the 81kg and 89kg categories. Following the ITA decision, the Korea Weightlifting Federation removed Kwon from its national team training squad.