Uzbek Olympic Boxing Champion Receives Three-Year Ban for Doping Violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA) has issued a three-year suspension to Uzbek boxer and Paris 2024 Olympic champion Lazizbek Mullajonov after he tested positive for a banned substance, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kun.uz.

According to the ITA, a sample collected from Mullajonov on 11 June revealed the presence of metabolites of metasterone, an anabolic steroid prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Metasterone is known for its muscle-building properties and its ability to boost strength and endurance, giving athletes an unfair advantage.

As a result, the athlete has been disqualified for three years. The suspension will run from 22 July 2025 to 21 July 2028. The ITA noted that Mullajonov admitted to the violation, which reduced the potential four-year ban by one year. Both WADA and the Uzbekistan National Anti-Doping Agency retain the right to appeal the sanctions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Mullajonov, 26, won gold in the -92 kg weight category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He is also an Asian champion and a world championship bronze medalist. In addition to the ban, all of his results achieved between 11 June and 22 July have been annulled.

The announcement comes on the same day that a boxing event is scheduled to take place at the Humo Arena in Tashkent. Organized by Lift Promotions, the event is expected to feature Mullajonov in the main bout, where he is set to fight Nigeria’s Monyasahu Muritador for the WBC belt.