Independent arbitrator imposes four-year suspension on André Porfírio
According to USADA, the athlete left the venue of the 2022 No-Gi Worlds when he learned of testing and admitted using testosterone
An independent arbitrator imposed a four-year suspension on André Luiz Novaes Porfírio for multiple anti-doping rule violations, USADA announced on January 9, 2024. The 26-year-old athlete was heard at a hearing on November 28, 2023. The violations stem from testing and intelligence around the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship in December 2022.
According to the decision, Porfírio committed two counts of evading sample collection. The first was on December 11, 2022, when he left the venue of the No-Gi Worlds after learning there would be testing. The second was on December 20, when USADA attempted to collect an out-of-competition sample, which he eventually provided.
During the investigation, the athlete admitted to using testosterone before the tournament. The December 20 sample returned an atypical finding for testosterone and its metabolites, and isotope ratio analysis confirmed its synthetic origin. Based on the admission and the test, the arbitrator concluded there was presence and use of exogenous testosterone.
The suspension counts from March 21, 2023, the date of his provisional suspension. His results from December 8, 2022, the approximate date of first use, through March 21, 2023, were disqualified, with forfeiture of medals, points and prizes. The IBJJF agreed to impose the sanction.
USADA was contracted by the IBJJF to run the testing program for the event, which includes out-of-competition tests after the tournament. The details are in the statement published by the agency.
