Drug testing policies in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can vary depending on the organization or competition. Some BJJ organizations or events may have drug testing policies in place, while others may not. As a general rule though, most competitions do not drug test – especially the smaller ones which is due to a lack of funds to do so.
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IBJJF does drug test
One example of drug testing in BJJ is with the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), which is one of the largest and most well-known BJJ organizations. They conduct random drug testing at some of its events. According to their website, “The IBJJF reserves the right to conduct drug tests on athletes before, during, or after competitions.” They also provide a list of prohibited substances and methods that are banned under their Anti-Doping Policy. Having said this, the IBJJF doesn’t test as regularly as companies such as the UFC. Once again, this comes down to finances.
ADCC doesn’t drug test
On the contrary, ADCC does not drug test. Alongside the IBJJF, ADCC is the biggest BJJ organization in terms of competitions. Because of its relaxed stance on PED’s and steroids, it’s almost an open secret that many ADCC finalists are using steroids. In fact, ADCC champion Kade Ruotolo claimed that most competitors at the 2022 event were on steroids. This wasn’t really a surprising revelation within the sport either.
If you think about it, we’re talking about the top athletes in a very competitive sport with lots of money on the line. If it goes on in sports with more regulations involved, then you can almost guarantee that it happens at events such as ADCC.
Other info
Other BJJ organizations or competitions may have different policies or no drug testing at all. It’s always a good idea to check with the specific organization or event that you’re participating in to see what their policies are regarding drug testing.
Regardless of drug testing policies, it’s important for athletes to prioritize their health and well-being, and to compete in a fair and ethical manner. Using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) can have serious health consequences and can also undermine the integrity of the sport.
List of BJJ athletes that have been banned for using PEDS
There have been several Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitors who have been banned or suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Here are a few examples:
- Felipe Pena: In 2015, Felipe Pena, a Brazilian black belt world champion, was suspended for twelve months by USADA after testing positive for a banned substance at an IBJJF competition.
- Kaynan Duarte: In 2020, Kaynan Duarte, a multiple-time world champion in BJJ, was suspended for twelve months by USADA after testing positive for a banned substance at the IBJJF World Championship. He was found to have a SARM in his system.
- Braulio Estima: In 2014, Braulio Estima, was suspended for six months by USADA after testing positive for a banned substance at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The substance in question was methylhexaneamine.
It’s important to note that the use of PEDs is prohibited in BJJ and can result in serious consequences for athletes, including suspensions, bans, and damage to their reputation.
Why regular hobbyists use steroids in BJJ
So far, we’ve established that professional competitors use steroids. Whether morally questionable or not, this is understandable in terms of the financial rewards involved. Sadly though, there is also a large portion of regular hobbyists who also use PEDs, even if they don’t compete. Here are a few of the main reasons why this happens:
- To gain a competitive edge: Some individuals may feel that they need to use PEDs to compete at a high level, particularly in the world of professional BJJ. This can stem from a desire to win at all costs or to keep up with competitors who may be using PEDs.
- To enhance physical performance: Steroids can help increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance, which can be appealing to some athletes who want to improve their physical abilities in BJJ or other sports.
- To speed up recovery: PEDs can also help athletes recover from injuries more quickly, allowing them to get back to training and competition faster.
- To enhance self-image: Some individuals may use steroids to enhance their physical appearance and self-image, particularly if they feel pressure to meet certain beauty or fitness standards.
