By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Zimbabwean Boxer Issa Aliya Phiri has been banned for 1 year for violating the anti-doping rules (ADRV) after he tested positive for Furosemide, a prohibited substance under section S1.1 of the world Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as it enhances performance and is used as a masking agent for other banned substances.
In March of 2024 Phiri defended his African Boxing Union lightweight belt against Tanzania’s Saidi Mkola held in Harare and his ban was confirmed yesterday by the Zimbabwe Olympics Committee (ZOC).
The Zimbabwe Olympics Committee states that “This violation occurred during a tournament where Aliya was subjected to standard doping controls. Furosemide, a diuretic, is prohibited at all times due to its potential to enhance performance and its use as a masking agent for other banned substances.”
“Issa Aliya Phiri has accepted the charges related to the ADRV and acknowledges the consequences of his actions. However, having accepted the consequences by 21 October 2024, Phiri’s period of ineligibility has been reduced by one year,” said Zimbabwe Olympics Committee.
Therefore, he will now be ineligible from 22 March 2024 when he was tested to 21 March 2025, with no further hearings required.