2009 NPA Anti-Doping and Disciplinary review – by Lee Kemp
The 2009 contest season of the Natural Physique Association saw a record level of drug testing take place within the association. This was carried out by way of our already established WADA compliant Urinalysis program, and for the first time since the inception of the NPA, a series of Polygraph tests conducted at the NPA British Championships, held in October. It was one of these tests that yielded the most significant finding of the season.
One of the athletes tested by Polygraph at the British Finals was Steven Jenkin, the reigning Heavyweight and Overall South-West Champion, who had arrived at the British Finals to compete in the Heavyweight class there. His Polygraph test results showed a significant reaction to the questions put to him, and a clear indication of past use of banned substances. As a result of this, he was instantly disqualified from the contest and subsequently stripped of his South-West titles. Steven Jenkin is now banned for LIFE from competing with the NPA, or holding membership to the association.
As a result of this disqualification, Ian Munro has now been declared the Heavyweight winner of the 2009 South-West Championships, which took place in Taunton on July 5th. It was deemed by the NPA Committee that as Ian Munro was denied the rightful opportunity to contest the Overall title on the day of the contest, that there will be now be no Overall South-West Champion for 2009. Of course, this also impacts on Lightweight winner Richard Walker, who originally placed second in the Overall to Steven Jenkin and would have quite likely have been vying for the Overall title with Ian Munro had he have had the opportunity on the day. Although there is no way of giving either of these men back their moment of glory, it is hoped that they can at least draw from this experience that the NPA has done everything it can to eliminate those from their contests who choose not to play by the rules.
Earlier in the season, following the 2009 NPA Yorkshire Championships, another matter related to anti-doping was brought to the attention of the relevant officials of the NPA. The winner of the Lightweight class at the contest, David Kershaw, had since his win written an article for a bodybuilding magazine detailing what he said was his diet and training regimen for the contest. Within this article he had stated the use of Sida Cordifolia during his contest preparation. This substance is one that is not recommended for use by any person subject to drug-testing in sport as it may bring about a positive test result for banned stimulants. A lengthy investigation by the NPA ensued, during which David Kershaw denied the use of the substance in question, stating that its inclusion in the article was erroneous. By way of appeal he was subsequently offered the opportunity to be tested by Polygraph at the NPA British Finals which he initially accepted, then declined. As a result of this, David Kershaw was subsequently disqualified from the 2009 NPA Yorkshire Championships, stripped of his title and banned from competing with the NPA or holding membership to the association for TWO YEARS from the date of the 2009 NPA Yorkshire Championships. This period will end on 1st June 2011, and David Kershaw will be eligible to re-join the NPA on this date, and compete with the NPA 14 days after this date as per the NPA rules.
In a separate disciplinary matter, runner-up to David Kershaw at the Yorkshire Championships, Adam Jones, was subject of a sanction that saw him disqualified from the contest and his NPA membership withdrawn. This has resulted in the originally third placed athlete, George Fereos, being declared winner of the contest and 2009 Yorkshire Lightweight Champion. Once again, it is regrettable that George was denied the opportunity to take his deserved victory on the day of the contest.
The NPA remains committed to increasing and improving its anti-doping programme for and during the 2010 season, in demonstration of our ongoing dedication to promoting Natural Bodybuilding as strongly as we can.
Thank-you all for your support in 2009, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2010.
Lee Kemp
NPA Anti-Doping Officer
December 2009
Site designed, developed and hosted by Austin Media Ltd