The ITA notifies sambo athletes Zhalgas Zhumagaliyev and Yerassyl Gabdulmanap of apparent anti-doping rule violations
The International Testing Agency (ITA), leading an independent anti-doping program for the International Sambo Federation (FIAS), reports that it has notified two Kazakh sambo athletes, Zhalgas Zhumagaliyev and Yerassyl Gabdulmanap, of Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for two prohibited substances, namely drostanolone and meldonium.
The ITA reports that samples collected in-competition from Zhalgas Zhumagaliyev and Yerassyl Gabdulmanap, sambo athletes from Kazakhstan, on 12 April 2026 during the World Sambo Cup held in Yerevan, Armenia have each returned an AAF¹ for meldonium and a metabolite of drostanolone.
Drostanolone is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is classified as a non-specified substance and prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). Drostanolone is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid associated with promoting rapid muscle growth, increased strength and enhanced physical performance.
Meldonium is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. It is also prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and classified as a non-specified substance. Meldonium may enhance sports performance by improving endurance and recovery through increased oxygen uptake and energy metabolism.
The athletes have been informed of their cases and have the right to request the analysis of their respective B‑samples.
If B‑sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A‑sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti‑doping rule violation. If B‑sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti‑doping rule violation. The athletes will have the opportunity to present their explanations for the results.
Further, in accordance with the World Anti‑Doping Code and Article 7.4.1 of the FIAS anti-doping rules, a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed on each of the athletes. They have the right to challenge the provisional suspension and request its lifting.
Pursuant to the FIAS’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the cases is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the cases are underway, there will be no further comments made.
The original press release can be found here: https://ita.sport/news/the-ita-notifies-sambo-athletes-zhalgas-zhumagaliyev-and-yerassyl-gabdulmanap-of-apparent-anti-doping-rule-violations/
