Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Boxer Bektemir Melikuziev is deprived of the right to participate in all sports competitions (national and international championships, various games, etc.) from 16 February 2020 to 15 February 2024, the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) and the National Anti-Doping Agency of Uzbekistan said.

It should be noted that from 16 February 2020, all medals and rating points received in the competition will be canceled. However, according to the World Anti-Doping Code, whether B. Melikuziev will continue to perform in professional boxing will depend on the decision of the relevant International Organization of Professional Boxing. If permitted, he may only fight in professional boxing until the expiration of his period of ineligibility.

It should be noted that the doping test taken from Bektemir initially revealed the banned substance "furosemide", for which from 28 February 2018 to 27 February 2020, was punished with a 2-year disqualification. The Athlete’s next anti-doping rule violation occurred during the initial penalty period, that is, on 30 September 2019, when the doping controllers arrived at the boxer’s ADAMS address and were unable to complete the scheduled doping test. The same situation was repeated twice - on 21 October 2019 and 16 February 2020.

In accordance with article 2.4 of the World Anti-Doping Code, 2 years of disqualification were imposed for this type of anti-doping offense. However, if the next anti-doping violation is committed on the same date as for the previous anti-doping violation, the duration of the next anti-doping violation is doubled. Thus, Melikuziev was disqualified for only 4 years.