Back in late March several sources came to BJJEE.com presenting evidence that Paolo Miyao was pinged by USADA for doping.
Paulo Miyao Rumoured To Be the Next BJJ Athlete That Failed Doping Test
Official USADA statement is finally here and it reads:
USADA announced today that Paulo Miyao, of New York, N.Y., an athlete in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a two-year sanction for his anti-doping rule violation.
Miyao, 25, tested positive for clomiphene as the result of an in-competition drug test conducted on June 5, 2016, at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Jiu-Jitsu Championships held in Long Beach, Calif. Although the IBJJF is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, USADA was contracted by IBJJF to conduct testing for the event and collected Miyao’s sample in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standard for Testing and Investigations.
Clomiphene is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators on the WADA Prohibited List and prohibited at all times under the World Anti-Doping Code and the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, which applied to the 2016 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
Following notification of his positive test, Miyao challenged USADA’s jurisdiction to bring a case against him under the USADA Protocol and WADA Code. After a jurisdictional hearing before an independent arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association, the arbitrator upheld USADA’s jurisdiction over Miyao for the purpose of adjudicating his positive drug test result from the 2016 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
This decision, as well as other arbitral awards, can be found here.
View AAA Decision Here
Miyao’s two-year period of ineligibility began on September 29, 2016, the date he agreed to cease competing in any activity or competition associated with the IBJJF, or any Code signatory. In addition, Miyao has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved in competitions sanctioned by the IBJJF, or any Code signatory, on and subsequent to June 1, 2016, the date the 2016 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships started, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes. IBJJF has agreed to impose the sanction.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
In the initial report we wrote:
Last year Paolo Miyao dominated the Worlds – he won the light featherweight division without a hitch. He was the only one on that podium that managed to repeat the success of the previous year. But since then he hasn’t been all that active he’s even missed the Pan Ams even though he isn’t injured.
I would like to apologize to all who accompany me and support me, as many know I ended up failing in the USADA anti-doping test made during the 2016 World Championship, I take full responsibility, without excuses. I am sorry to my training partners and my teachers and secondly, for my opponents with whom I fought in this Worlds. My punishment will be two years. My heartfelt apologies to everyone. “Living in the past paralyzes the present and ruins the future”
One interesting tidbit is that Miyao has been suspended for 2 years – which is somewhat atypical since most of bjj athletes flagged to date only received one year suspensions.
