In news that is becoming more common, another BJJ athlete fails another USADA test. Pedro “Bombom” Alex received a one-year ban for testing positive for a banned supplement. He is now the 17th Brazilian to fail a USADA doping test.
Read the full details below ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
What Did the Test Show
Here’s part of the official press release that USADA released on Pedro “Bombom” Alex’s test results:
“Pimenta, 28, tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite ((Z)-3′-hydroxyclomiphene) as the result of an in-competition drug test conducted at the 2024 World International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Jiu-Jitsu Championship on June 2, 2024. Although the IBJJF is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), USADA was contracted by IBJJF to conduct testing for the event and collected and analyzed Pimenta’s sample in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s International Standards.
Clomiphene and its metabolites are Specified Substances in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and are prohibited at all times under the Code and the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, which applied with slight modifications to the 2024 World International IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
After a thorough review of the case, USADA determined that Pimenta’s positive test was caused by a medication prescribed for therapeutic purposes under the care of a physician. Although the substance was taken at the direction of a physician, the Code requires that athletes obtain a TUE before using a prohibited substance, which Pimenta failed to do.
Pimenta’s one-year period of ineligibility began on July 12, 2024, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Pimenta has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained in competitions sanctioned by the IBJJF or by any Code signatory on and subsequent to June 2, 2024, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.”- USADA PR Release.
The IBJJF’s Difficult Situation
Pedro “Bombom” Alex earned a second-place finish at this year’s 2024 IBJJF World Championship. Now, both Alex and this year’s ultra-heavy champion Yatan Bueno, have failed their USADA drug tests.
Both athletes were stripped of their medals and ranking points and suspended from competition. This leaves the IBJJF in a difficult situation when deciding who will be declared this year’s champion.
Alliance athlete Guilherme Santos and GFTeam athlete Seif-Eddine Houmine came in third behind them. The IBJJF will have to decide whether both athletes will be named co-champions or no champions will be crowned this year.
As expected, USADA drug testing continues to shake up the sport.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.
