The International Testing Agency (ITA), responsible for the anti-doping program at Asiad 20 on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), announced the incident on 28/9. Shavkatov's sample was collected during an out-of-competition test in Japan on 22/9 and returned an adverse analytical finding for meldonium.

The 23-year-old fighter was informed of the result and received a provisional suspension. During the suspension, he is prohibited from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any sports activities under the jurisdiction of organizations that have signed the World Anti-Doping Code. The ITA's record currently lists the case as pending.

Uzbek fighter Shavkatov won a bronze medal in the 71 kg modern MMA category at Asiad 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan on 22/9. Photo: NOC Uzbekistan

An adverse analytical finding does not automatically mean Shavkatov has received a final ruling on a doping violation. The Uzbek fighter has the right to request an analysis of his B sample and appeal the provisional suspension to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD).

Meldonium belongs to group S4 – hormone and metabolic modulators – in the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) prohibited list. This substance has been banned at all times, both in and out of competition, since 2016. According to the ITA, meldonium can enhance endurance and recovery by affecting oxygen uptake and energy metabolism. It is a non-specified substance, meaning a violation involving it can lead to a more severe sanction compared to specified substances.

Shavkatov competed in the men's 71 kg modern MMA event, which was introduced to the Asiad program for the first time at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. He defeated South Korean fighter Choi Eun-sok by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals before losing 0-3 to Kadyrbek Shinbayev in the semifinals and securing a bronze medal. Shinbayev went on to win the gold medal by defeating Behruz Khurshedzoda with the same score.

The ITA has not yet made a decision regarding Shavkatov's achievement. Therefore, his bronze medal has not yet been revoked. The cancellation of results and reallocation of medals will only be considered after the entire process is complete, including the B sample result and any appeal procedures.

At the time of the announcement, Shavkatov was the third positive case at Asiad 2026 but the first medalist with an adverse test result. Before him were Thai badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh and Turkmenistan karateka Dayanch Keletliyev. One day later, Uzbek canoeist Pavel Eygel became the fourth case when his sample showed trimetazidine.

Shavkatov trains within the GAMMA Uzbekistan system. Before the Asiad, he won a bronze medal at the Asian amateur MMA championships on home soil in May and had previously reached the top 8 at the world amateur championships in the 70,3 kg category. He began his professional career in Kazakhstan in 2025. The Uzbek fighter won his three professional matches before his career faced potential disruption due to the incident in Japan.

Vy Anh