Last week, USADA announced that 2014 black belt IBJJF World and 2015 World Pro Champion Felipe Pena known as ‘Preguica’ had tested positive for testosterone and accepted a one-year sanction for his doping offense:
Pena claims that Testosterone cream is the cause. After a thorough review of the case, USADA accepted Pena’s explanation that his positive test was caused by his use of a testosterone cream provided to him by a healthcare provider.
Andre Galvao lost to Pena in the final of heavyweight at the 2014 worlds. He obviously wasn’t happy about the news and questioned why are we only now learning about this when it happened a year before.
He wrote the folowing statement on his Facebook page:
“Felipe Pena has been disqualified from all competitions he competed in after May 31st, 2014. Why are we just finding out now that he tested positive for banned substances?
When did the IBJJF learn of this? The IBJJF knew about the test. We know that because Felipe wasn’t fighting the IBJJF events since last Worlds. What is the reason of announcing a suspension if it is already over? I know that is to show everyone Felipe lost the title. But what about the other competitors? What about the serious business? What about the example?
IBJJF issued a statement today regarding the case. They said that USADA (which also does PED testing for the UFC) was given total control of the case and that IBJJF could not comment on a pending case. The first public announcement about any case would be provided by USADA. IBJJF is informed of the final resolution for the case on the same day in which the official news is posted on USADA’s webpage.
Galvao vs Pena at the 2014 Worlds
Here is the statement from the IBJJF website:
“In engaging the Unites States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to provide a comprehensive anti-doping program for the IBJJF World Championships, IBJJF has taken the important step to externalize the full anti-doping process to an independent organization to provide a gold standard program. In order to ensure complete independence and provide the highest level of protection for the rights of clean athletes, USADA is wholly responsible for the collection of samples, sample analysis, sample results management, and, when necessary, the adjudication of any positive test results from the tests executed during the IBJJF World Championships.
Given USADA’s internationally recognized expertise in anti-doping, IBJJF has agreed to adhere to USADA’s sanctions and deadlines, as they are the independent anti-doping authority. If an athlete is found to have a positive test, USADA directly informs IBJJF and the athlete about the positive result. USADA handles the adjudication process for any positive test, in accordance with the rules, which provide full due process for the athlete.
During the adjudication process, the athlete is informed by USADA that s/he may not compete in IBJJF events while the case is pending, and the IBJJF upholds that restriction, in order to avoid any other title from being challenged.
Due to IBJJF’s agreement with USADA, IBJJF cannot comment about the case while the matter is pending, and the first public announcement about any case will be provided by USADA. IBJJF is informed of the final resolution for the case on the same day in which the official news is posted on USADA’s webpage (http://www.usada.org/news/).
Thank you.”
