Former Arizona State wrestling star Zahid Valencia is eligible to compete again next month following a nine-month suspension for a failed drug test.

The International Testing Agency recently reached what is known as an agreement on consequences with Valencia on a suspension that ends Nov. 11. He is receiving credit for time served under a provisional suspension.

Three days later, Valencia will make his competitive wrestling return in a FloWrestling match against 2012 Olympic and four-time World champion Jordan Burroughs.

Valencia, 23, had a positive drug test Jan. 18 at an international meet in Rome. He was indefinitely suspended by ASU on Feb. 20 while ranked No. 1 in the nation at 184 pounds. Valencia is a two-time NCAA champion at 174.

The NCAA Championships were cancelled in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and soon after the U.S. Olympic Trials and Tokyo Olympics. 

Valencia will be eligible not only for the trials and, if he qualifies, for Tokyo in 2021 but could participate in wrestle-offs for the 2020 World Championships, currently planned for Dec. 12-20 in Belgrade, Serbia, provided 70 countries register to participate.

Since his suspension, Valencia has remained in Tempe to train with at the Sunkist Kids Regional Training Center. He also is engaged to be married to ASU softball star Kindra Hackbarth.

“He’s served his consequene and is ready to move on,” ASU coach Zeke Jones said. “He’s excited to be competing against the best guy in the world (Burroughs). Zahid is an any time, anywhere kind of guy and really likes to compete. It’s great to get a shot at the champ.”

Valencia finished 121-3 overall at ASU, the ninth most wins in school history, and was 20-0 as a senior before his suspension. He is first in school career major decisions, second in pins, tied for second in technical falls and fifth in bonus wins. 

Valencia is qualified for the Olympic Trials at 86 kilogram, where the competition includes David Taylor, Pat Downey and Alex Dieringer. 

Burroughs, 32, will be a trials finalist at 74 kg, a division that includes Anthony Valencia, Zahid’s brother and an ASU redshirt senior who finished second last week at USA Wrestling Senior Nationals.

Also at nationals, ASU redshirt freshman Cohlton Schultz won his second Greco-Roman heavyweight title, Chad Porter was runner-up was Greco 97 kg, former Sun Devil Tanner Hall was second at freestyle heavyweight and Trey Munoz was a semifinals at Greco 87 kg. Forrest Molinari, now training at Sunkist Kids RTC, won at women’s 68 kg.

Jones said the ASU wrestling season is expected to begin in early January. Schultz, yet to wrestle for the Sun Devils, could do so this school year while also preparing for the Olympic Trials in Greco.

More: ASU suspends wrestling star Zahid Valencia due to failed drug test

More: Former ASU wrestlers Anthony Valencia, Tanner Hall finish second at Senior Nationals

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8053. Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe.

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