Sumo: JSA conducts 1st random drugs test on sumo wrestlers+

TOKYO, April 22 Kyodo -
The Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday carried out its first random drugs
tests on sumo wrestlers Wednesday following a series of drug-related scandals
that have tarnished the image of the country's ancient national sport.
Urine tests were conducted at five stables on 103 wrestlers, including
Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu, with more examinations to be held at the
other sumo ''beya'' stables in the days ahead.
The tests were held on the same day Yokohama District Court's Kawasaki branch
sentenced former sumo wrestler Wakakirin to 10 months in prison, suspended for
three years, for possessing marijuana.
''The tests were carried out in line with the rules and everything was
explained properly,'' said Asashoryu. ''Having today's test was 100 percent
correct. Now we just have to pray that everyone's results come back negative.''
Mitsubishi Chemical Medience Corp., Japan's only institution certified by the
World Anti-Doping Agency undertook the examinations, the results of which are
expected to be disclosed in two or three weeks.
JSA chief Musashigawa recently visited education minister Ryu Shionoya to
apologize for the recent spate of scandals involving recreational drugs and
promised to aggressively implement random urine tests to curb the use of
illegal substances.
New anti-drugs rules were set by the JSA in late February so that all of the
association's members could be tested without warning.
Wakakirin at the end of January was arrested on suspicion of possessing
marijuana, becoming the first Japanese wrestler to be arrested in a marijuana
case and the latest grappler to be thrown out of the sumo world.
His arrest came after three Russians were dismissed over drug charges.
''These scandals have happened so we have to pull out socks up and carry these
tests without making a fuss. Everyone will be tested,'' said Musashigawa.
==Kyodo
2009-04-22 23:35:56