Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — It was recently reported that two-time Olympic taekwondo champion Ulugbek Rashitov has been handed a two-year suspension for violating anti-doping regulations.

According to information published on the website of the International Testing Agency, the Uzbek athlete committed three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period.

Rashitov addressed the situation on his Instagram page, emphasizing that the suspension was not related to the use of banned substances, but solely due to administrative failures in reporting his whereabouts. He explained that athletes are required to submit daily updates in a dedicated system, specifying their residence, travel routes, and overnight locations.

One of the violations, he said, occurred in November when doping officers arrived at 6 a.m., although he had listed 9 p.m. as his availability in the system. “I could not have expected a visit at such an early hour. No one called — I only received an SMS. Later I was told that no exceptions would be made,” Rashitov recounted. He added that four months later, he received notification that the incident had been officially recorded as a violation and that a decision had been made to suspend him.

The athlete admitted that the ruling came as a complete surprise. “I was shocked. The last time I was tested was on April 22 — they took a sample, confirmed I was clean, and then issued this decision. But now it’s in the past, and nothing can be changed,” he said.

Despite the circumstances, Ulugbek Rashitov remains optimistic about the future. He declared his intention to continue training and expressed confidence in participating in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “I will do everything possible — and impossible — to proudly represent my country,” he stressed, thanking his fans for their support and understanding.