Carina Damm (9-3) — one of newest female stars signed to an Elite XC contract — has tested positive for the steroid Nandrolone and has been suspended for one year and fined $2,500 by the California State Athletic Commision (CSAC).
Damm recently inked a three-fight deal with Elite XC.
This failed test comes from a post fight screening performed after her second round submission win over Sophie Bagherdai at Fatal Femmes Fighting 4: “Call of the Wild” on April 3.
She is a solid jiu-jitsu player who boasts five career submission wins.
Nandrolone is the same steroid for which then UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk tested positive for after his UFC 73: “Stacked” win over Hermes Franca back in July 2007.
There has been lots of talk about natural levels of Nandrolone being higher in professional athletes than the average Joe (or Jane) and that the range of 2ng/ml - 6ng/ml is, in some cases, not accurate. That’s all up for debate.
Sherk’s positive test showed the level of Nandrolone in his system to be at 12ng/ml. That’s relatively close to the textbook natural level. His case had some room for argument … maybe.
Damm’s, however, does not. She showed a level of 37.9 ng/ml, which is off the charts.
She appears to be pretty talented, and it’s a shame for a gifted athlete to waste that talent by cheating. She’ll be eligible to fight again on April 3, 2009.
