Kazakhstan's boxer from Astana Arlans fails doping test

Kazakhstan’s boxer Almat Serimov who represents Astana Arlans boxing club has failed a doping test, Tengrinews reports citing the official website of Kazakhstan’s Boxing Federation.

As a result, In accordance with the decision of the Disciplinary Committee of Kazakhstan's National Anti-Doping Center and in connection with the violation of anti-doping rules of the World Series Boxing, the 28-year-old athlete has been disqualified for two years without the right to participate in national, regional, continental and international competitions.

In addition, Astana Arlans management terminated the contract with the Kazakh boxer on December 27.

Almat Serimov was born in Temirtau in central Kazakhstan in 1986. He has been in sports since he was eight. Serimov is a master of boxing sport of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan’s many-times champion, winner and prizewinner of a number of international tournaments. He competes in 81 kilos weight category.

Meanwhile, head coach of Astana Arlans Marat Dzhakiyev claimed that the athlete did not use any doping. “He did not break (any rules). He just did not know the rules. He was ill before the championship, and had high blood pressure. He took pills, but they contained prohibited substances that were indicated in the list of doping agents. If he had notified us about this before the test, then nothing would have happened to him. But he didn't say anything,” head coach told Vesti.kz.

However, it is too late to challenge the disqualification decision now. "We could have reacted, when the letter just arrived. It in would have been to no avail anyway. If he did not say about it when he handed over the analysis, then now it is too late. And he didn't. Nothing can be done. Now it is seen as if he hid this deliberately," Dzhakiyev said.

Writing by Assel Satubaldina, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina