UKBJJA working with UK Anti Doping to ensure clean, safe Jiu Jitsu

The United Kingdom Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association (UKBJJA) is pleased to announce that it is working with UK Anti Doping (UKAD) to fully implement UKAD’s anti-doping policies and education for all Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes in the UK.

UKAD will be in attendance at the UKBJJA International Open Tournament, which takes place at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff on 6 October 2019, to run outreach programmes, including a free workshop/seminar on the Sunday morning which all athletes and support staff are invited to attend.

Mike Williams, UKBJJA CEO, said " we are extremely pleased to be setting an example, especially to our younger competitors, and showing that they can compete on a level playing field without worrying about cheating. We are 100% committed to UKAD's anti doping policy and to making sure BJJ is a clean, safe sport for all"

What does this mean for competitors? Clean competitors have nothing to fear from this partnership, but all athletes and support staff need to take responsibility for their own awareness and actions. 

Athletes, coaches and other support personnel should do three things: 

1) download the UKAD 100% me app and study the information and resources available to athletes and support staff on the UKAD website. Attending training events such as the one at the UKBJJA International Open is also highly recommended.

2) athletes who are on any kind of regular medication should check the list of banned substances on the Global DRO website - if so, they may need a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). Information about TUEs can be found on the UKAD website.

3) Understand your rights and responsibilities and if you’re concerned doping may be taking place, you can share your concerns, however small they seem.

The UKBJJA has also appointed four anti doping officers for each of the home nations. They are:

England - Mr. Nicholas Brooks
Scotland - Mr. James McIntyre
Wales - Mr. Neil Williams
Northern Ireland - Mr. Pete Lavery

Any concerns or questions regarding anti-doping in BJJ in the UK should be directed to antidoping@ukbjja.org

For more information about UKAD please visit their website.