Doping has reared its ugly head at the Asian Games as a Uzbekistan judo silver medalist was caught using a banned stimulant.

Shokir Mumonov, who won a silver medal after losing to South Korean Kim Jae-Bum in the 81kg division final last Sunday, tested positive for Methylhexaneamine in the post-competition screening, said Dr. Mani Jegathesan, chairman of Olympic Council of Asia medical commission, announced here on Friday afternoon.

"The athlete has been disqualified from the competition as well as these games and his performance in the competition has been nullified, his medal withdrawn and appropriate adjustment made to the results," said the OCA medical chief.

"His urine specimen collected on Nov. 14 after the competition was found to contain Methylhexaneamine."

The findings have been referred to the Uzbekistan Olympic Committee, the International Judo Federation and to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Methylhexaneamine has been the subject of several high-profile doping cases since the WADA added the substance to its banned list this year.

Methylhexaneamine is widely used as a nasal decongestant but is also found in recreational drugs. A component of flower oil, the substance is a common ingredient in a variety of nutritional supplements and easily available on the Internet.

Some athletes have said they unknowingly ingested Methylhexaneamine when using supplements or other products.

Nigerian sprinter Osayomi Oludamola was stripped of her Commonwealth Games 100 meters gold medal for using Methylhexaneamine. Six Indian wrestlers and three swimmers also tested positive for the drug ahead of the Games.

In last Asian Games in Doha, four weightlifters were disqualified for flunking doping tests.

Myanamar weightlifters Kyi Kyi Than and Oo Mya Sanda, a silver medalist in the 75kg category, both tested positive.

Uzbekistan's Elmira Ramileva was caught to have used an anabolic steroid and teammate Alexander Urinov was found to have taken cannabis.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2010)