Rider Zuchi accepts three-year suspension and loses his results since August 2024
USADA test at the 2026 Worlds found drostanolone and a nandrolone metabolite; the sanction was cut by one year because he admitted the violation
Rider Zuchi accepted a three-year suspension for an anti-doping rule violation, USADA announced on September 21, 2026. The 30-year-old black belt, named in the statement as Rider Samelo do Amaral, tested positive for drostanolone, a drostanolone metabolite and 19-norandrosterone, a metabolite of nandrolone or other 19-norsteroids, in an in-competition test at the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship on May 31, 2026.
The substances are anabolic agents, banned at all times under the World Anti-Doping Code and the USADA protocol applied to the tournament.
The applicable sanction was four years. Under Article 10.8.1 of the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete who admits the violation and accepts the sanction within 20 days of being notified is entitled to a one-year reduction, and Zuchi qualified for it.
The suspension started counting on July 1, 2026, the date of his provisional suspension. His results since August 23, 2024, the date he began using the substances according to the agency, were disqualified, with forfeiture of medals, points and prizes.
USADA was contracted by the IBJJF to run testing at the tournament. The details are in the statement published by the agency.
