Michael Bond didn’t have any anabolic steroids in his system but USADA found three other types of prohibited substances.
Michael Bond, a 28-year old amateur powerlifter from Cotati (California), has been suspended from competition for a period of four years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Bond avoided testing positive for anabolic steroids. But steroids are not the only class of drug prohibited by USADA.
Bond tested positive for two selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) – Ostarine (MK-2866) and Testolone (RAD-140). He also tested positive for the PPAR-delta receptor agonist known as Endurobol or Cardarine (GW-1516).
SARMs work the same as anabolic steroids for all intents and purposes. PPAR receptor agonists are most effective for enhancing the performance of endurance athletes. But they can also aid with recovery and fat loss and body recomposition in power and strength athletes.
USADA provided “gold standard” drug testing for the 2019 Kim & Ray Powerlifting Invitational.
USADA drug testing officers collected an in-competition sample from Bond at the 2019 Kim & Ray Speed Power Strength Invitational on May 4, 2019. Bond should have known better given that the event was heavily promoted as a drug-tested meet.
SPS Gym founders Kimberly Walford and Ray Williams have aggressively promoted higher standards for drug-free powerlifting meets. In order to accomplish this objective, they hired USADA to perform and manage drug-testing results at the Ray and Kim Invitational.
Bond was the third top-ranked powerlifter at the 2019 Kim and Ray Invitational (going by the Wilks coefficient). He competed at a bodyweight of 229 in the 240 weight class. His lifts included a 606.2 lb deadlift, 529.1 lb squat and 330.7 lb bench press.
Bond’s results were disqualified after USADA announced the anti-doping rules violation (ADRV) this month. Bonds is ineligible to compete in any drug-tested sport for a period of four years from May 4, 2019 until May 5, 2023.