Mica Galvao receives a one-year suspension from USADA after testing positive for PEDs

USADA suspends Mica Galvao for one year after testing positive for banned performance enhancers.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has confirmed that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star Mica Galvao failed a drug test for PEDs during the 2022 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Championships.

Galvao, who is just 19 years old, has accepted a one-year suspension for breaking anti-doping rules.

According to USADA’s statement, Galvao tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite 4-hydroxy clomiphene during a competition drug test on June 5, 2022. Clomiphene is classified as a hormone and metabolic modulator and is prohibited for use by athletes in all sports by the World Anti-Doping Code and the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing.

USADA confirmed that Galvao’s positive test resulted from a medication prescribed to him in a therapeutic dose by his physician. However, Galvao failed to obtain the required Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) before using the prohibited substance, as mandated by the Code.

As a result, Galvao received a one-year suspension, which is shorter than the three-year bans given to five other competitors earlier this year.

Galvao’s suspension began on July 22, 2022, and he is disqualified from all his competitive results achieved in competitions in IBJJF or any other competition from June 5, 2022, onwards, including the forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.

While the one-year suspension is a significant setback for Galvao, it’s important to note that he’s still a young athlete with a promising future in the sport. Many are hopeful that he will use this time away from competition to reflect on his actions and make the necessary adjustments to ensure he competes fairly moving forward.

The suspension also highlights the importance of strict adherence to anti-doping regulations in the sport of BJJ. As a role model for younger athletes, Galvao’s actions and subsequent suspension will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion and an opportunity for athletes, coaches, and parents to reiterate the importance of competing fairly and ethically.

Mica Galvao’s Background

Micael “Mica” Galvao was born in Manaus, Brazil, in 2003 and is considered a prodigy in the world of BJJ. He has been training since he was four years old and has won many prestigious titles, including the Brazilian National Championship, the IBJJF World Championship, and the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship. Galvao was promoted to the rank of brown belt at the age of 15 and has continued to excel in both gi and no-gi competitions.

Author

Recent Posts

Brian

My name is Brian and I'm a purple belt in BJJ. I train at GFTeam in Burnaby, Canada. My mission with this site is to inspire, educate and learn together with grappling enthusiasts around the world.