Brazilian taekwondo champion at Pan is suspended for doping and has medal revoked – 12/27/2023 – Sport

Brazilian fighter Edival Pontes, 26, known as Netinho, was suspended for doping. As a result, the gold medal in team taekwondo won at the Santiago Pan in October was revoked.

The news was published by UOL’s “Olhar Olímpico” column and confirmed to Sheet by the COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee) in a note. According to the entity, the athlete from Paraíba will be out of competitions until February 2024.

“The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) informs that the athlete Edival Pontes, known as Netinho, received notification of an adverse analytical result from an exam carried out in competition before the Pan American Games a few weeks ago. Brazil retained the gold as a team in Santiago, but Netinho had his [medalha] revoked”, says the statement.

The World Taekwondo (international sports federation) did not provide details, such as the substance found in the athlete’s exam, but added a suspension warning next to his name on the website where it publishes the sport’s rankings.

Netinho is the highest placed Brazilian in the world rankings. He occupies eighth place among men in the 68 kg category, with only the top five automatically qualifying for the Olympic Games without the need to go through qualifying continental tournaments.

“The athlete’s suspension is valid until the end of February. With this, he will be able to continue seeking classification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games”, completes the COB note.

Netinho was world runner-up last year in the 74 kg category, which is not part of the Games program. In September this year, the Brazilian won the silver medal at the Paris Grand Prix in the 68kg category, having been defeated in the final by Uzbek Ulugbek Rashitov, current Olympic champion.

At the Pan de Santiago, Netinho was part of the team that beat Chile 48-16 in the men’s decision, alongside Paulo Melo and Maicon Andrade.