The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world has been hit with another major anti doping case after 2026 IBJJF Black Belt World Champion Rider Samelo do Amaral, better known as Rider Zuchi, accepted a three year period of ineligibility following a positive drug test at the 2026 IBJJF World Jiu Jitsu Championship.

The case has significant consequences for the heavyweight division, as Zuchi has not only been suspended from competition but has also been disqualified from applicable competitive results dating back to August 23, 2024.

That includes the biggest achievement of his career, his 2026 IBJJF Black Belt Heavyweight World Championship.

According to the official announcement from the U.S. Anti Doping Agency, Zuchi, 30, provided a sample following an in competition test conducted at the IBJJF World Championship on May 31, 2026.

The test detected drostanolone, a drostanolone metabolite identified as 3α hydroxy 2α methyl 5α androstan 17 one, and 19 norandrosterone, a metabolite of nandrolone or other 19 norsteroids.

Drostanolone, nandrolone, 19 norsteroids and their metabolites are classified as non Specified Substances in the Anabolic Agents category and are prohibited under the anti doping rules applied to the event.

Although the IBJJF is not itself a signatory to the World Anti Doping Code, USADA explained that it had been contracted by the IBJJF to conduct testing at the 2026 World Championship. USADA collected and analyzed Zuchi’s sample according to World Anti Doping Agency international standards.

The positive test has resulted in consequences extending well beyond the three year suspension.

According to USADA, Zuchi has been disqualified from all applicable competitive results obtained in competitions sanctioned by the IBJJF or any World Anti Doping Code signatory on and after August 23, 2024, which USADA identifies as the date he began using the prohibited substances.

The disqualification includes the forfeiture of applicable medals, points and prizes.

Most significantly, this means Zuchi loses the 2026 IBJJF Black Belt Heavyweight World Championship he captured earlier this year.

The development also changes the official outcome of the heavyweight division. Nicholas Meregali, who finished runner up to Zuchi in the heavyweight final, is now listed by the IBJJF as the 2026 heavyweight world champion.

Zuchi’s suspension could originally have been longer.

Under Article 10.8.1 of the World Anti Doping Code, an athlete facing an anti doping rule violation carrying a period of ineligibility of four years or more may receive a one year reduction by admitting the violation and accepting the asserted sanction within 20 days of receiving notice of the charge.

According to USADA, Zuchi satisfied those conditions and therefore received a reduction from the otherwise applicable four year period of ineligibility to three years.

His period of ineligibility officially began on July 1, 2026, the date his provisional suspension was imposed.

The case is particularly notable because of Zuchi’s position at the top of the sport.

The Brazilian heavyweight had established himself among the elite competitors in modern Gi Jiu Jitsu, culminating in his performance at the 2026 IBJJF World Championship. Winning an adult black belt world championship is widely considered one of the most prestigious accomplishments in competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Now, that title and other applicable results within the disqualification period have been erased from his official record.

The case also once again brings the issue of performance enhancing drugs in elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into the spotlight.

Drug testing remains far less extensive in professional grappling than in many major international sports, and the IBJJF’s testing program at its World Championship covers only a portion of the athletes competing at the event.

Zuchi’s case demonstrates the potentially career altering consequences when a positive test does occur, particularly when the disqualification extends retrospectively across multiple years of competition.

For Zuchi, the consequences are substantial. A three year absence from sanctioned competition during what would ordinarily be prime competitive years, combined with the loss of applicable results, medals, points and prizes dating back to August 2024.

For the wider Jiu Jitsu community, the case is likely to fuel an already longstanding debate.

Should PED testing become more widespread, or even mandatory, across major elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions?

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