Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Anderson Silva will meet with Brazilian taekwondo officials in hopes of competing in next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, despite facing a possible doping ban.
Silva this week expressed his desire to represent Brazil in next year’s Games, and local taekwondo officials said they like the idea of having the MMA fighter on the team.
The Brazilian taekwondo confederation on Wednesday said that “this wonderful possibility” of Silva competing in the Olympics will be discussed next week between the fighter and local officials.
The 40-year-old Silva began his career as a taekwondo fighter and is a black belt in the sport. He is an ambassador for taekwondo in Brazil.
Silva, who is currently suspended by UFC after failing drug tests, said in a letter to the taekwondo confederation that it would be “an immense pleasure” to be part of the Brazilian team in Rio.
“Everybody knows that every top athlete dreams about the Olympic Games,” Silva said. “As an ambassador to the sport, and with the Games taking place in my country, I’m even more motivated by the Olympic spirit.”
Silva said he would compete with all his “esteem, strength and honor.”
On Wednesday, he posted on his official Twitter account a photograph of himself practicing taekwondo.
Silva tested positive for two steroids in an out-of-competition test on Jan. 9, and also failed a test after his UFC victory over Nick Diaz on Jan. 31.
The Brazilian later said in a statement that he always “played clean” and “never used any substances” to improve his performances, and that he was “still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth.”
Silva has a hearing scheduled for next month on the doping allegations.
Silva is considered one of the best pound-for-pound mixed martial arts fighters in the history of the sport.
The former middleweight champion returned to the cage in January after breaking his lower left leg more than a year ago. He beat Diaz, but the victory was quickly overshadowed by the doping headlines that surfaced shortly after the fight.
According to the Brazilian taekwondo confederation, its president Carlos Fernandes was “pleased” to receive Silva’s proposal, but many details still must be discussed before his participation in the Games can become a reality.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and