Top boxer Phiri banned for doping

Curtworth Masango

Boxer, Issa Aliyah Phiri has been banned for two years, sanctioned after testing positive for Furosemide. Furosemide is banned due to its potential to enhance performance and its use as a masking agent for other banned substances.

The 24-year-old Phiri was sanctioned to serve a period of ineligibility of two years, but after accepting the consequences, his period of ineligibility was reduced to one year. Arguably, he is the current best boxer in the country.

Phiri won the ABU Lightweight belt via a TKO victory against Israel Kamwamba at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale on December 8, 2023.

He defended the title against Saidi Mkola of Tanzania at the same venue on March 22 via a unanimous points’ decision in a gruelling 12-round bout.

In a press statement, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee said:

“The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) announces that boxer Issa Aliyah Phiri has been sanctioned following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) after testing positive for Furosemide, a prohibited substance under Section 1.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) 2024 Prohibited List. 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. Following the positive test, Phiri submitted an application for a Retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance; however, this application was denied.

“Issa Aliyah Phiri has accepted the charges related to the ADRV and acknowledges the consequences of his actions. Consequently, he will serve a period of ineligibility of two (2) years, retroactively effective from 22 March 2024 to 21 March 2026. This period includes disqualification of all results obtained since 22 March 2024, along with all resulting consequences. However, having accepted the consequences by 21 October 2024, Phiri’s period of ineligibility has been reduced by one year. Therefore, he will now be ineligible from 22 March 2024 to 21 March 2025, with no further hearings required.”