In an unprecedented move, the IBJJF Pan Championship has announced a partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to conduct performance-enhancing drug (PED) tests on its competitors!

This initiative marks a significant step towards professionalizing the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ; as well as ensuring a fair and drug-free competition environment.

The IBJJF Pan Championship, therefore, joins the ranks of the IBJJF World Championship and the IBJJF No Gi World Championship – making it the third event in the IBJJF calendar to implement USADA testing.

The IBJJF has expressed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport by updating the registration page for the Pan Championship with detailed information about USADA’s involvement:

IBJJF (in association with International BJJ Inc.) is pleased to support integrity in competition, and to announce it has contracted with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (“USADA”) to provide an anti-doping program during the Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship (the “Event”), to be held at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL, from March 19th, 2024 – March 24th, 2024.

Athletes participating in the event will be subject to rigorous testing for any substances or methods listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

The statement further elaborates:

The anti-doping rules for the Event are set forth in the USADA Protocol and are fully applicable to each competitor, each member of the competitor’s team, and all athlete support personnel involved in the Event.

Any violation of the anti-doping rules may result in disqualification and loss of results achieved during the Event, in addition to all consequences that arise in accordance with the USADA Protocol and the Code.