Bangladesh’s leading weightlifter Mabia Akter has been handed a two-year ban from all international and domestic competitions after testing positive in a doping test. The sanction has been imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Doping tests for athletes are conducted under competitions governed by bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Mabia’s sample was collected in Dhaka on October 29 last year, ahead of the Islamic Solidarity Games.

Following extensive analysis, the sample returned positive, leading WADA to impose the two-year suspension. The Bangladesh Olympic Association has formally communicated the decision to the athlete. The ban came into effect from October 29, 2025.

Mabia has confirmed that she will appeal the decision. “I received the letter from the Olympic body on Thursday. It states that I have 14 days to appeal, and I will do so,” she said.

The test reportedly detected the presence of a prohibited substance—diuretics—in her sample. These substances help remove excess water and salt from the body and can aid in rapid weight loss, but are strictly banned in sports.

However, Mabia claimed that she did not take any substance secretly. According to her, all medications were taken under a doctor’s supervision, and she possesses the relevant prescriptions.

A gold medallist at the 2016 and 2019 South Asian Games, Mabia has been one of the brightest names in Bangladesh’s sporting arena. Despite being mentally affected by the ban, the 26-year-old has expressed determination to return to weightlifting in the future.