News came out 2 days ago from USADA, as five elite BJJ athletes suffered 3-year suspensions from competing – as a result of testing during and after 2022 No-Gi World Championships.
The news were first delivered by FloGrappling, which stated that Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, Vagner Rocha, Jose Henrique Cardoso, Jonnatas Gracie, and Igor Feliz have all been suspended.
Here’s the case what happened with Cyborg:
Tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample collected on December 20, 2022.
He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility that began on January 27, 2023, the date he was provisionally suspended from competition.
It was somewhat different with Vagner Rocha, who refused to submit a urine sample:
Vagner Rocha refused to submit to sample collection after being notified by a USADA doping control officer during an out-of-competition test on December 23, 2022.
He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility that began on January 11, 2023, the date he was provisionally suspended from competition.
And, for example, Jonnatas Gracie tested for more than “exogenous testosterone”:
Tested positive for 19-norandrosterone (19-NA), a metabolite of nandrolone and other prohibited 19-norsteroids, and exogenous testosterone and its metabolites as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected at No-Gi Worlds.
He accepted a three-year period of ineligibility.
Cyborg made a statement, showing no remorse, justifying PED use and blaming the IBJJF for not paying athletes (sic):
“Please no hypocrisy. The world needs to get over the fact that if athletes like us are going to train as hard as we do; as often as we do; as intensely as we do; for as many years as we have, then we all have to take the steps necessary to make sure we can recover and keep training. I’m 42 years old completing 43 this year, and I believe nobody has ever done what I’m doing at this moment, winning worlds at adult division at 40/41/42 three years consecutive being the best Heavy weight NoGi in history of Ibjjf winning 7 titles on Ultra Heavy Division division and 1 absolute. Having my opponents most of the time being much bigger and almost 20 Years younger then me… I’m not bragging, but this is incredible And a great mark for us older guys.
HRT is super beneficial for athletes over 30. Everything I take is prescribed by a doctor and is professionally followed by his team accords to my needs. And I highly suggest it. More than medals what we want is to be able to live a healthier life, be able to recover and continue to enjoy Jiu Jitsu. We are making no money from IBJJF and we are having to compete against much younger athletes who are allowed to be on everything for professional events. So basically we are competing for the fun at ibjjf, not getting payed like UFC for instance, while Non of THE PROFESSIONAL EVENTS ARE TESTING.
Also only the champs tested, what about the second place guys getting the title, did they test??? No. Is it fair?? NO. In my eyes if Ibjjf wants to take it seriously and wants to make it professional as they say, it’s ok, test everyone, adults and master division. Make it fair to everyone and start paying to make it professional. Otherwise people will Have to choose, on being able to Compete and perform at a professional level or compete at IBJJf.
I’ve already won multiple world titles and I’m ok on sitting out, but the newer athletes who got suspended are loosing a great moment of their lives. It’s very sad to have them put alway on their prime. Specially now testing athletes on their work schedule visiting their gyms and seminars to make them test.. Does it makes sense?? Invade your privacy when you are paying to compete??
Reality is uncle Borg Won his 8th World title at 42 years old scoring 79 points and being unscored on.. I feel The greatest I’ve ever been and it’s a shame I won’t be able to continue to perform and break records at IBJJF. But Life goes on!!”
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