{"id":46603,"date":"2025-08-19T11:32:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T18:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=46603"},"modified":"2025-08-19T13:26:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T20:26:56","slug":"new-zealand-black-sox-seeking-advice-after-venezuelas-world-cup-gold-medal-pitcher-maiker-pimentel-fails-doping-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=46603","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand Black Sox \u2018seeking advice\u2019 after Venezuela\u2019s World Cup gold medal pitcher Maiker Pimentel fails doping test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Article by Tony Smith, The Post<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

A remarkable upgrade for the Black Sox to men\u2019s Softball World Cup champions could be in play if an \u201capparent\u2019\u2019 anti-doping violation by Venezuela\u2019s gold medal pitcher is upheld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maiker Pimentel pitched Venezuela to a 3-0 win over the New Zealand men\u2019s team in July\u2019s World Cup final in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the 28-year-old World Cup MVP has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The International Testing Agency (ITA) – which leads the World Baseball Softball Confederation\u2019s (WBSC) anti-doping programme, reported that a sample collected from Pimentel on July 12 – a day before the grand final at Prince Albert – had returned an \u201capparent adverse analytical finding\u2019\u2019 of four metabolites of the prohibited substance stanozolol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It said stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid that promotes lean muscle growth and enhances strength. It is a non-specified substance, prohibited in and out of competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ITA said on its website that the Venezuelan – whose full name is Maiker Josue Pimentel Sivira – had been informed of the case and the right to request analysis of his B sample. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the B sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered \u201ca confirmed anti-doping rule violation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Pimentel does not request a B sample analysis, the case would also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation, the ITA said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pimentel would have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result. He also has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for it to be lifted. Click here to read the complete story.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the The International Testing Agency (ITA):<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The ITA reports that a sample collected on 12 July 2025 during the final stage of the WBSC Men\u2019s Softball World Cup held in Prince Albert, Canada, from Maiker Josue Pimentel Sivira, a softball player from Venezuela, has returned an AAF\u00b9 for four metabolites of the prohibited substance stanozolol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanozolol is listed under the 2025 WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is classified as a non-specified substance and prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid that promotes lean muscle growth and enhances strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The athlete has been informed of the case and has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The athlete will have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and Article 7.4.1 of the WBSC Anti-Doping Rules, a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed on the athlete. The athlete has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for its lifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pursuant to the WBSC\u2019s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments made.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The official standings posted at the conclusion of the tournament:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n

? It\u2019s a wrap from Prince Albert, Canada! Check out the final standings of the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals 2025!#SoftballWorldCupM<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/55fZbmSVZB<\/a><\/p>— WBSC ?? (@WBSC) July 14, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>