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27 August 2026
The ITA confirms that Nursultan Mendybayev has been sanctioned with a 6-year period of ineligibility after testing positive for drostanolone metabolite and meldonium following an in-competition doping control conducted by the ITA on 22 June 2025 during the 2025 World MMA Championships in São Paulo, Brazil.
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 steroid that enhances muscle hardness and strength.
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.
When notified of the case, the athlete was provisionally suspended with immediate effect.¹
The ITA issued the decision on behalf of GAMMA in accordance with article 8.3.3 of the GAMMA anti-doping rules.² The period of ineligibility, which was increased to 6 years on the basis of aggravating circumstances,³ is effective from 12 August 2026 until 11 August 2032. Additionally, the athlete’s competitive results from 22 June 2025 onwards have been disqualified.
Parties with a right of appeal may challenge the decision before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in accordance with article 13.2.3 of the GAMMA anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ Due to the athlete’s violation of his mandatory provisional suspension, the athlete is not entitled to receive any credit for any provisional suspension served.
² When an athlete does not challenge the assertion of an ADRV and does not request a hearing, anti-doping organisations have the possibility to issue a written decision sanctioning the Athlete and imposing the applicable consequences without having to refer the case to a hearing panel. This is provided in articles 8.3.2 and 8.3.3 of the GAMMA anti-doping rules and article 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code.
³ As per article 10.4 of the GAMMA anti-doping rules, if aggravating circumstances are present which justify the imposition of a period of ineligibility greater than the standard sanction, the period of ineligibility otherwise applicable shall be increased by an additional period of ineligibility of up to two years depending on the seriousness of the violation and the nature of the aggravating circumstances. The circumstances and actions that qualify as aggravating circumstances include, but are not limited to, circumstances where the athlete used or possessed multiple prohibited substances or prohibited methods.
