USADA has issued an official statement regarding Yatan Bueno. The 27-year-old athlete from São Paulo, Brazil, has been suspended for three years following a positive test.
The incident occurred during the 2024 World International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Jiu-Jitsu Championship on June 2, 2024. Bueno’s in-competition test revealed the presence of 19-Norandrosterone (19-NA), a metabolite of nandrolone and other 19-norsteroids. Further analysis using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) confirmed the synthetic origin of the substance in Bueno’s sample.
In a video statement, Bueno candidly addressed the situation, citing a longstanding shoulder injury as the catalyst for his decision to seek unconventional treatment. He revealed that during the Pan American Championship, his shoulder dislocated multiple times, exacerbating an injury he had been managing since his purple belt days. With the World Cup looming, Bueno claimed he explored various treatments, including ozone therapy and physiotherapy, before ultimately resorting to a “deca application” administered by his doctor.
The Brazilian grappler expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the extreme pressures athletes face in pushing their bodies to the limit. “I think that every athlete knows where we take our body to the extreme, and there are times that we have to end up opting for more serious cases,” Bueno stated.
Under the WADA Code, 19-norsteroids are classified in the category of Anabolic Agents, which are prohibited at all times. Bueno faced a potential four-year suspension but received a one-year reduction by admitting to the violation and accepting the asserted sanction within the stipulated timeframe.
As a result of the suspension, which began on July 12, 2024, Bueno has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained in IBJJF-sanctioned competitions or those of any WADA Code signatory on and after June 2, 2024. This disqualification includes the forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes earned during this period.
The USADA statement emphasized their commitment to educating athletes about the rules, testing processes, and the risks associated with performance-enhancing substances. They provide various resources, including a drug reference hotline, educational sessions, and materials to promote clean competition.
Bueno assured his fans that he would continue to persevere through this challenging period in his career, promising to do his best for himself and his family.
