Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Sudhir Sudhir - India

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) can confirm that the Independent Tribunal has issued its decision regarding an in-competition sample provided by Sudhir SUDHIR, who competed in Para Powerlifting Men’s Heavyweight, at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

On 21 July 2023, the Independent Tribunal found Mr SUDHIR to have committed the following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) under the 2022 Commonwealth Games Anti-Doping Rules (ADRs): 

  • Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in the Athlete’s Sample, pursuant to Article 2.1 of the ADRs; and
  • Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method, pursuant to Article 2.2 of the ADRs.

Accordingly, the Independent Tribunal disqualified Mr SUDHIR’s results from the Para Powerlifting Men’s Heavyweight, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of his gold medal and any points and prizes. 

A copy of the full decision of the Independent Tribunal can be found below.

The matter has now been passed to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to determine any further consequences under their anti-doping rules. 

The results will be amended accordingly, with placings now as follows:

Ikechukwu Christian OBICHUKWU (Nigeria)
Micky YULE (Scotland)
Ben WRIGHT (Australia) 
Liam McGARRY (England)
Dennis MBAZIIRA (Uganda)
Modou GAMO (Gambia)
Oscar Ernest MAKOUBE MOUSSIMA (Cameroon). 

This has been communicated to the relevant Commonwealth Games Associations who are liaising with the impacted athletes.

The CGF has a zero-tolerance policy to doping in sport. It seeks to maintain the integrity of the Commonwealth Games by running a comprehensive anti-doping programme that focuses equally on education, prevention and testing. 

Ms Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha - Nigeria

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) can confirm that the Commonwealth Games Federation Court has issued their decision regarding an in-competition sample provided by Ms Nwokocha, who competed in Athletics at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Analysis of the sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for Ostarine and Dihydroxy-LGD-4033, a metabolite of Ligandrol. Both are non-Specified Substances, listed under Other Anabolic Agents in the WADA 2022 Prohibited List. 

On 17 May 2023, The Federation Court issued a decision that Ms Nwokocha had committed the following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) under the 2022 Commonwealth Games Anti-Doping Rules (ADRs): 

  • Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in the Athlete’s Sample, pursuant to Article 2.1 of the ADRs; and
  • Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method, pursuant to Article 2.2 of the ADRs.

Accordingly, the Federation Court disqualified Ms Nwokocha’s results from the following events, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any points and prizes: 

  • Athletics – Women’s 100m
  • Athletics – Women’s 200m
  • Athletics – Women’s 4x100m Relay, including the team’s forfeiture of the gold medal

The matter has now been passed to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to determine any further consequences under their anti-doping rules. A copy of the full decision can be downloaded below.

All results will be amended accordingly, including the Women’s 4x100m Relay medal placings as follows:

  • England shall now be 1st place and awarded the gold medal
  • Jamaica shall now be 2nd place and awarded the silver medal
  • Australia shall now be 3rd place and awarded the bronze medal

This has been communicated to the relevant Commonwealth Games Associations who are liaising with the impacted athletes.

The CGF has a zero-tolerance policy to doping in sport. It seeks to maintain the integrity of the Commonwealth Games by running a comprehensive anti-doping programme that focuses equally on education, prevention and testing. 

Full Decision - Ms Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha

Ali Asad - Pakistan

Ali Asad of Pakistan, who came third in the Men’s 57kg Freestyle Wrestling at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Anti-Doping and Medical Commission.  

He was charged after his A sample, taken during the Games, was found to contain prohibited substances (Metandienone and Methyl-1-testosterone). He did not request analysis of his B sample and did not respond to the charge or request a hearing. His results from Birmingham 2022 have therefore been disqualified in accordance with the CGF Anti-Doping Rules, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of the bronze medal.

The matter has now been passed to the International Testing Agency (ITA) and United World Wrestling (UWW) to determine any further sanctions and consequences. A copy of the full decision can be found below.

Full Decision - Ali Asad

The next-placed wrestler was Suraj Singh of New Zealand, has now be awarded the bronze medal. 

President Dame Louise Martin  joined Suraj Singh and members of his family, along with representatives of the NZCGA and the Wrestling NZ community, at a special ceremony in New Zealand on 18 November in recognition of his achievement. All published results are also being updated accordingly.

Shakul Samed - Ghana

Further to the statement issued on 29th July 2022, the Commonwealth Games Federation Anti-Doping and Medical Commission has confirmed that Shakul Samed, a boxer from Ghana, has been found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation. 
 
His A sample was found to contain a prohibited substance (diuretic and masking agent – Furosemide). As a result, he was suspended with immediate effect and did not compete in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The matter has now been passed to the International Boxing Association (IBA) to determine further sanctions and consequences.