The International Weightlifting Federation confirmed the two-year ban on Vietnamese weightlifter Hoang Anh Tuan for failing a drugs test.

The ban took effect on September 18, 2010, after Tuan's "A" and "B" samples both tested positive at the world weightlifting championships that month in Turkey .
He was also fined 5,500 USD for infringement of drug rules and the cost of the tests.

Tuan, who subsequently missed the Asian Games in Guangzhou , China , last November, claimed the banned substance may have been in medicines he took for flu during training last May in China .

Since Viet Nam does not have a weightlifting federation, the fine will be paid by the Vietnam National Sports Administration.

Tuan is Vietnam's best ever lifter and has won silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

He also won bronze medals in the 2005 and 2006 world championships./.