Youssef Youssef, Canadian judo competitor, banned for high levels of testosterone
Former national champion has admitted to the violation
Canadian judo competitor Youssef Youssef faces at least a two-year suspension after a urine sample collected last year revealed presence of testosterone, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced on Wednesday.
Youssef's sample was taken out-of-competition on March 31, 2015, and his testosterone levels were found to be "abnormally high."
Youssef has admitted the violation, and a hearing was held to determine the length of suspension.
According to Rule 10 of the Canadian anti-doping program, if an athlete's positive test is determined to be intentional, an automatic four-year suspension is levied.
If the case is found to be non-intentional, the sanction is a two-year ban.
Youssef, 23, is a four-time Canadian champion in the under 60-kilogram category. He's placed top three or better at nine Canadian championship events from 2008 to 2014.
Youssef was also on track to qualify for this summer's Rio Olympics.