Nigerian boxing sensation Cynthia Ogunsemilore has been provisionally suspended from the competition, after testing positive for a banned substance. The 22-year-old, who won gold at the Accra 2023 African Games, was set to make her Olympic debut at the Paris Olympics but will now miss the opportunity.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) collected an out-of-competition sample from Ogunsemilore on July 25 on behalf of the International Olympic Committee. The test revealed the presence of furosemide, a banned diuretic that can be used to mask the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Ogunsemilore’s suspension comes as a devastating blow to her Olympic aspirations. She was scheduled to face Shih Yi Wu of Chinese Taipei on Monday in her debut fight but will now be unable to participate.

The Nigerian boxer has the right to appeal the decision, but any outcome will not come in time for her to compete in the Paris Olympics. Ogunsemilore’s team will likely dispute the findings, but the process will take time, and her Olympic dreams will be put on hold.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore’s rise to prominence in the boxing world has been remarkable, and her Olympic debut was highly anticipated. However, this setback will force her to re-evaluate her career and consider the steps necessary to regain her competitive edge while adhering to anti-doping regulations.