Another Filipino weightlifter got sanctioned by the International Testing Agency (ITA) after John Febuar Ceniza was slapped with a two-year ban after failing to submit to doping testing.

In a report by the ITA last 28 October, Ceniza has failed to be tested three times and will be ineligible to join International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)-sanctioned tournaments starting last 17 October until 17 October 2027.

“The ITA reports that weightlifter John Febuar Ceniza has been sanctioned¹ for his Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under Article 2.4 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules (IWF ADR),” the ITA said in a statement.

“Ceniza committed three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period. The sanction was issued by the ITA on behalf of IWF in accordance with article 8.3.3 of the IWF ADR (and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code).”

“The decision may be challenged before the appeal division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the IWF ADR. The ITA will not comment further on this case.”

Last August, Vanessa Sarno was also slapped with a two-year ban by the ITA for not showing up in drug tests.

Ceniza competed in the Paris Olympics last year in the men’s 61-kilogram event but registered as DNF (Did Not Finish) in the results.

With the recent ban, Ceniza’s chances of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games will be in peril as he will miss most of the crucial IWF tournaments due to the ban.

The 27-year-old weightlifter from Cebu City will also miss the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December and the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to 4 October.