TOKYO, March 28: Japanese weightlifter Ryuta Takahashi has been given a two-year ban after testing positive for anabolic steroids.

The Japan Anti-Doping Agency banned Takahashi after an out-of-competition test showed traces of metenolone.

Takahashi has not been selected for next month’s Asian championship in Japan, which doubles as a qualifier for the Beijing Olympics.

Takahashi is the fourth athlete to receive a two-year ban from JADA since the agency took on the role of a national disciplinary body in July 2007.—AP