Brock’s BJJ coach responds to steroid use in BJJ
The widespread use of steroids at the elite level of BJJ is little discussed, but widely understood. Below, two-time World Absolute…
The widespread use of steroids at the elite level of BJJ is little discussed, but widely understood. Below, two-time World Absolute BJJ Champion Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros raises awareness about the issue:
I am proud to say that I conquered the most important title in BJJ, the Absolute in the Mundial twice and to own the record of fastest submission in a Black Belt final. I conquered all those titles without steroids.
In the 2000 Mundial, minutes before I was to fight one of the most difficult matches of my life, I had to assist in removing an athlete from the competition area. Unfortunately that athlete died inside the stadium due to an overdose of steroids.
I am reaching out because there seems to be a pact of silence between the Federation, the competitors, and especially the press who ultimately has the obligation to denounce these irregularities. It is well known the use of steroids by athletes of various teams. And in many cases by Champions of our sport, I am not going to name names because I’ve not personally witnessed anyone taking them, however it is pretty noticeable the extremely rapid gain of muscle mass and abnormal reduction of fat percentage by some athletes.
An athlete using steroids gains more than just physical benefits, they also have technical gains, because they can train 4 times a day and still feel well, while an athlete that is clean trains twice a day and needs to rest to recover naturally. The majority of athletes also have other duties such as being instructors and as such we have to preserve the values like: Loyalty, Honesty and the Spirit of Sports Fairness.
We know there is no sport steroids are tolerated and in many Countries it is even a crime to use them except for strict health issues. Of course this is not the first generation to use this type of drug, but it is time we face this issue with seriousness it deserves and we need to set the example for others to come.
I want to make it very clear that in my opinion ANYONE THAT USES ANABOLIC STEROIDS TO BETTER THEIR PERFORMANCE IS CHEATING AND DO NOT GAIN ANY GLORY WITH THEIR CONQUESTS.
Thanks for your time
Sincerely
Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros
Ona recent episode of The FightWorks Podcast 2011 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship light featherweight gold medalist Caio Terra was interviewed, and claimed that a significant percentage of elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes use performance-enhancing drugs.
The FightWorks Podcast then determined to speak with the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, as well as the three teams who have been most successful in recent World Championships. Alliance, Gracie Barra, and CheckMat, who won 1rst, 2nd, and 3rd place adult team medals respectively for the past two years.
The IJBBF was asked:
Do the IBJJF and its member bodies like the USBJJF have any rules or regulations that prohibit performance enhancing drugs and / or steroids? If there are no such rules or regulations, do you think there will be anytime soon?
Each team was asked:
Does your team have a policy regarding the use of steroids and / or performance enhancing drugs (including human growth hormome) for its athletes? If yes, what is the policy? If not, does your team plan on implementing such a policy in the future?
Alliance founder Romero Jacare Cavalcanti::
We don’t have any policy on steroids or performance enhancing drugs, we try to advice our athletes about the danger of taking these drugs for their health, however we have no way to know if there is anybody using anything, I personally think is very hard to find out or prove unless you ask this or that guy to test.
We have no plans to implementing a plan, the best way in our opinion is just to tell people once in a while about the dangers of taking any drugs in general, we believe our schools are drugs free environment but we have no way to know what people do outside the school.
PS. This subject was brought up by Caio Terra trying to say that there are guys in Jiu Jitsu using steroids, well if you are accusing someone you have to prove, don’t just trow things in the air because this can bring you problems, he is always crying about this or that, always trying to blame a referee or because he didn’t do well is because he has some injure, etc.. just shut up and fight, he is a good fighter but he need to just fight and talk less.
Gracie Barra and CheckMat did not respond.
IBJJF Spokesperson Mike Buckels::
The IBJJF does not currently have a steroid testing policy in place. It has been discussed and is still being discussed. As this would be a major change the IBJJF will take as much time as it deems necessary to research and possibly implement such a policy.