The International Go Federation (IGF) has announced that Korean player Sa Woo Kim has received a two-month period of ineligibility following an anti-doping rule violation involving the prohibited substance Tramadol.
According to the IGF, Kim tested positive for the narcotic after undergoing doping control on May 21, 2025. The violation falls under Article 2.1 of the IGF Anti-Doping Rules, which covers the presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete's sample.
Kim's period of ineligibility runs through July 15, 2026. During that time, he is prohibited from participating in competition under Article 10.4.1 of the IGF Anti-Doping Rules.
The ruling also affects the results of the 2025 World Amateur Go Championship in Vancouver, Canada, where Kim finished in third place. The IGF announced that his third-place finish has been revoked and that all players who placed below him will move up one position in the final standings.
IGF Secretary General T. Urasoe said a full report on the case will be prepared by IGF Anti-Doping Officer Andy Okun and presented to the IGF Board in 2026.
The IGF also announced plans to propose the creation of a formal Anti-Doping Committee at its next Board meeting, noting that similar committees already exist within the international chess and bridge federations.
The IGF Anti-Doping Rules were adopted in 2025 as part of the federation's ongoing compliance with international sports governance standards.