Mica Galvão is suspended for doping and loses his IBJJF world title
At 19, the Brazilian athlete failed the anti-doping test conducted by USADA, testing positive for clomiphene and its metabolite
Mica Galvão has lost his IBJJF world title. On Wednesday afternoon (April 5), an announcement shook the Jiu-Jitsu world: Mica Galvão, seen as one of the sport’s great prospects, faces a turning point in his career. At 19, the Brazilian athlete failed the anti-doping test conducted by USADA, testing positive for clomiphene and its metabolite, 4-hydroxyclomiphene, substances banned in sport. As a result, Galvão was suspended for one year by the agency.
Mica Galvão tests positive for clomiphene and loses his IBJJF Worlds title
The case dates back to the 2022 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, organized by the IBJJF. Although the IBJJF is not formally bound by the World Anti-Doping Code, it chose to follow the international guidelines and hired USADA to oversee testing during the competition.
Clomiphene, a substance that raises testosterone levels, caused Galvão’s positive result. A careful review found that he had taken the substance under a doctor’s prescription, but Galvão did not obtain the authorization required to use it under the international rules. The one-year suspension counts from July 22, 2022, the date of his provisional suspension, and his results since the day of the test, in June 2022, were disqualified.
Galvão now joins a growing list of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes facing doping suspensions. Names such as Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, Igor Feliz, Jonnatas Gracie, Henrique “Ceconi” Cardoso and Vagner Rocha were also recently suspended by USADA. Unlike Galvão, all five black belts were suspended for three years and will only be able to compete in the IBJJF again in 2026.
The athlete received a one-year suspension from USADA
In addition to the suspension, Galvão lost the gold medal from the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, where he had made history by becoming the youngest champion in the black belt division. The setback is a stark reminder of how important strict compliance with anti-doping rules is in sport.
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Originally published in Portuguese on April 5, 2023. Translated in October 2026.
