Discqualified Maslobojevas says he did all he could to establish the true facts

LRT.lt

Veteran Lithuanian kickboxer Sergejus Maslobojevas has been handed a 12-month suspension by the international kickboxing organisation Glory after testing positive for a banned substance.

The ban follows two positive samples collected on 14 June 2025 and confirmed by a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory. Traces of the anabolic steroid stanozolol metabolite were detected in the samples.

Maslobojevas, 38, said in a statement on social media that he has always competed clean and has been tested regularly under WADA programmes since 2012. He added that he immediately launched independent investigations to identify the source of the prohibited substance.

“From the first day I learned that a prohibited substance had been found in my sample, I did everything possible to establish the true facts,” he wrote. Independent hair and nail analysis covering a six-month period, including the time of the doping test, were carried out by a UK laboratory certified to ISO 17025 standards. All results were negative for anabolic steroids, and the laboratory concluded that any presence of the substance was accidental and had no physiological effect.

The findings, along with supporting documentation, were submitted to Glory as part of Maslobojevas’s defence. The organisation acknowledged that while the presence of the substance was confirmed, it could not rule out accidental contamination. The fight in which he was due to defend his title has been declared void, and he has also received a financial sanction.

“I respect the goal of the anti-doping system to ensure fair play,” Maslobojevas said. “I have always fought for clean sport, and I accept Glory’s decision because the rules state that the athlete is responsible for what enters their body.” He added that the minimum possible suspension period had been applied and that he now looks forward to returning to competition once the ban ends.