Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 01, 2014 Sports
By Franklin Wilson
The sport of powerlifting has been left awe struck following the banning of Guyana’s first Under-18 Sub-Junior World Powerlifting Gold Medalist Gumendra ‘The Golden Boy’ Shewdas.
The 53kg sub junior category (U18) athlete, a member the Total Fitness Gym based at Corriverton and coached by Mr. Egbert Jackson failed the in-competition doping control test conducted on August 26, 2013 in the course of the 2013 Sub Junior Powerlifting Championships held in Killeen, Texas, USA.
By way of an official letter from the International Powerlifting federation (IPF), The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF was officially notified of the IPF Doping Hearing Panel’s decision on November 26, 2013.
Shewdas brough much joy to this nation when he captured the gold medal in the 53kg Sub-Junior category at the World Championships last August in Texas, USA. But that joy has been short lived with the athlete failing a doping test.
According to the official document received from the IPF, these are the facts:
On August 26, 2013, during the 2013 Sub Junior Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, USA, Gumendra Shewdas from Guyana provided an in-competition urine sample. The certificate of analysis confirming the adverse analytical finding was received on September 20, 2013 by the IPF from the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Cologne, Germany. It indicated the presence of Methylhexaneamine and Oxilofrine.
Methylhexaneamine and Oxilofrine are Prohibited Substances and both Stimulants (S.6) according to the WADA Prohibited List and the IPF Anti-Doping Rules.
In accordance with the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, upon receipt of the adverse analytical finding, the IPF proceeded with its results management of adverse analytical finding Sample.
The GAPF and Mr. Shewdas were provided with the notice of the adverse analytical finding on October 21, 2013 and were given the opportunity to request the analysis of his {Shewdas} B sample but he waived the right to have his B sample analyzed. Shewdas was also provisionally suspended as of October 21, 2013.
The IPF document went on to explain that in accordance with Article 7.1.5 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, Mr. Shewdas’ waiver of the B sample analysis confirmed his acceptance of the results of the A sample analysis which yielded a finding of Methylhexaneamine and Oxilofrine.
In accordance with Article 2.1.2 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules and eth World Anti-Doping Code, the confirmation provided by Mr. Shewdas’ waiver of his B sample analysis leads to the assertion that an anti-doping rule violation has occurred.
On November 12, 2013, in conformity with the IPF procedure, Mr. Shewdas and The GAPF were notified of the anti-doping rule violation. The document sent outlined the documentary hearing procedure.
Under Article 8.3 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, Shewdas was also given the opportunity to produce any and all statements, medical documentation and evidence in his defense. Shewdas did submit a statement to the IPF as did the GAPF and the athlete’s mother.
Shewdas’ file was then sent to the IPF Doping Hearing Panel for its appreciation and deliberation. A comprehensive document with the findings referring to the relevant articles of the IPF Rules which were violated was sent to the GAPF.
Articles 2 of the IPF Rules, 2.1; 2.1.1; 2.1.2, Article 10.2 and Article 10.4 were referred to.
The IPF’s position further stated that Shewdas’ waiver of his B sample analysis is conclusive of an anti-doping rule violation.
“The IPF reaffirms that all athletes must be responsible and made accountable for any performance enhancing substance found in their system. On the whole of the circumstances, the IPF sees no convincing reason why Mr. Shewdas should not be subject to article 10.2 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules which imposes a mandatory two year period of ineligibility on athletes for a first anti-doping rule violation.”
Shewdas in his defense claimed that he was taking some tablets given him by his grandfather as a decongestant to deal with the effects of being within the work environment which cause him to have breathing problems.
Shewdas is employed as a fitter mechanist with the Guyana Sugar Corporation. The name of the product he allegedly used to treat his nasal congestion was GERANIUM 20.
However, a product description of Geranium 20 on its online product page states that Geranium 20 is not a product manufactured to treat nasal congestion. It is a supplement containing high levels of Methylhexaneamine aimed at increased fat loss, mental focus and energy.
Methylhexaneamine is a performance enhancing substance; as is Oxilofrine. The IPF missive noted that while the athlete has provided an explanation as to how the Methylhexaneamine has entered his system, he has provided no explanation as to the finding of Oxilofrine in his body.
The IPF Panel in its deliberations on the matter was very straightforward and to the point in its summary.
Shewdas’ two year suspension is from any powerlifting event or competition which includes lifting, referring and coaching. Any results earned since October 21, 2013 shall be nullified. The period of suspension commenced on October 21, 2013 and will end on October 22, 2015.
Pursuant to IPF Rule 12.2, the IPF also imposed a fine of Euro $2000 on the GAPF for all costs relating to the adjudication of this doping violation. The GAPF has sixty (60) days in which to pay the fine.
The IPF noted: “It is always unfortunate for the IPF to sanction one of its athletes for the use of prohibited substances. It is this Panel’s hope that this case will prompt all athletes to not only become aware of their responsibilities and obligations under IPF Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code but to take them seriously by avoiding the use of performance enhancing drugs at all times and by being careful and aware of everything they ingest.”
According to Article 13.2.1 of the IPF Rules, the decision can be appealed exclusively to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Lausanne, Switzerland according to the rules applicable before such court. The time to file an appeal to the CAS is twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of the decision and that time would have already elapsed.
Shewdas is currently the National, Caribbean as well as Commonwealth record holder in the Squat (197.5kg), deadlift (207.5kg) and total (497.5kg) and still the Pan American champion.
In an invited comment, GAPF President Peter Green said he was very disappointed in the entire episode which will certainly jerk the development of the sport that has taken off in the past five years or so.
Green posited that the GAPF will have to launch its own investigation. Green further noted that no local athlete will be able to compete overseas for 2014 which will see the federation going on an all out campaign to educate and enlighten its athletes on the dangers of performance enhancing drugs.
The GAPF Green noted is cash strapped at the moment and made efforts to speak with eth IPF President with a view of getting more time to pay the fine. He has been successful in lobbying the IPF Executive and has been given more time to pay the fine which would be done in installments.
“This is certainly a setback for us but it is not the end, it’s an awakening call for us. It is my intention to lobby for a national Anti-Doping Committee to combat the use of drugs. The simple message now is that no athlete should take any supplements which include the many energy drinks on the market.”
Over the years, and especially since Guyana’s re-emergence in the sport, many of the athletes have been tested but none have been positive.
Guyana has been very dominant at the Caribbean, Commonwealth and Pan American levels and will certainly come under the radar now, similar to Jamaica and athletics.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 18, 2024
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