USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator has rendered a decision in the case of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete Andre Luiz Novaes Porfirio, of Miami, FL. After an evidentiary hearing on November 28, 2023, where both Porfirio and USADA were provided a full opportunity to present their cases and witnesses to the independent arbitrator, the arbitrator determined that Porfirio will receive a four-year sanction for multiple anti-doping rule violations. These violations occurred as a result of testing and intelligence from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World No-Gi Championship event in December 2022.
“Powerful performance-enhancing substances are a threat to both the safety of competitors and the integrity of competition,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “Robust testing and investigations, paired with an unflinching commitment to pursuing the truth, is absolutely necessary to ensuring that those who seek an unfair advantage are held accountable.”
Although the IBJJF is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, USADA was contracted by IBJJF to conduct the testing and results management program for the event, which also includes post-event out-of-competition testing. IBJJF has agreed to impose the below sanction.
The independent arbitrator determined that Porfirio, 26, committed two counts of evading sample collection by first fleeing the venue at the World No-Gi Championship on December 11, 2022 when he learned there would be testing. Porfirio again evaded sample collection on December 20, 2022, when USADA attempted to collect an out-of-competition urine sample, which Porfirio eventually provided. Evading sample collection, or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection, without compelling justification is a doping violation under the World Anti-Doping Code.
During USADA’s investigation into the circumstances of Porfirio’s first violation, the athlete admitted to using the prohibited substance testosterone prior to the World No-Gi Championship. Porfirio’s sample collected on December 20 also returned an atypical finding for testosterone and its metabolites after analysis using a specialized test known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), which is capable of measuring the carbon isotope ratio of urinary steroids, such as testosterone and its metabolites, and confirming their synthetic origin. IRMS is a powerful tool that unequivocally differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and AAS of synthetic origin. Anabolic agents have powerful performance-enhancing capabilities and can give an athlete an unfair advantage over fellow competitors. IRMS testing confirmed that the prohibited anabolic agents detected in the athletes’ samples were consistent with external origin. Based on the admission of use and the atypical finding, the arbitrator concluded that Porfirio committed violations for presence of exogenous testosterone in his sample, as well as the use and/or attempted use of exogenous testosterone.
Porfirio’s four-year period of ineligibility began on March 21, 2023, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Porfirio has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved in competitions sanctioned by the IBJJF, or any Code signatory, on and subsequent to December 8, 2022, the approximate first date he used testosterone, to March 21, 2023, the first day of his provisional suspension, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.
This decision, as well as other arbitral decisions, can be found here.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at playclean@USADA.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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