Italian Muay Thai champion Sveva Melillo is eligible to compete again after completing a four-year doping suspension that cost her one of the biggest victories of her career. Melillo represented Italy in the women’s 54-kilogram division at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama. She won the tournament and returned home with a gold medal, adding another major achievement to a career that already included IFMA and WMC world titles.




The celebration did not last long. A sample collected during the World Games tested positive for canrenone, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Canrenone is classified under the category of diuretics and masking agents. Such substances can be used to accelerate fluid loss and may also make the detection of other prohibited substances more difficult. However, the official decision did not accuse Melillo of using any additional drug.




The International World Games Association disqualified all of Melillo’s results from the tournament. She was ordered to return her gold medal, while her points, prizes and diploma were also forfeited. American fighter Ashley Thiner was promoted to gold, Mexico’s Laura Burgos received silver and Australian competitor Yolanda Schmidt moved into the bronze-medal position. The ruling became final after Melillo did not appeal the decision. 





The International Federation of Muaythai Associations later imposed a four-year suspension running from August 12, 2022, until August 11, 2026. The length of the punishment kept Melillo away from sanctioned competition during what could have been some of the most important years of her career. Her suspension has now expired, meaning the Italian fighter is officially eligible to compete again. No return fight has been publicly announced at the time of publication.




Melillo now faces a difficult decision. She can leave the sport with her previous championships overshadowed by the doping case, or attempt to rebuild her reputation inside the ring. A comeback would attract attention because the former champion has not competed at the highest level for four years. It would also raise a larger question: can an athlete regain the trust of the Muay Thai community after losing a major international title for a doping violation? 

Judging by her recent social media photos, Melillo appears to have used her four-year break rather comfortably. She looks rested, confident and fully prepared to return to the spotlight, even if her return to the ring has not yet been announced.


The rules no longer prevent Sveva Melillo from returning. Whether promoters, opponents and fans are ready to welcome her back will become clear only if she decides to fight again.