Powerlifter ‘Devastated And Broken’ After Positive Test

Nigeria’s Paralympic powerlifting champion Esther Oyema has told the BBC she is “hurt” after receiving a four-year ban for an anti-doping violation.

Oyema, 38, was last week given the ban by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) after returning an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance 19-norandrosterone.

The substance was found in a urine sample provided on January 28, 2019 after Oyema competed at the Lagos 2019 International Para Powerlifting Competition in Nigeria.

“It’s like I’m in a dream – I am devastated and broken,” Oyema told BBC Sport Africa.

“I feel very sad. I have always worked with passion. I am hurt.”