InsideJapan News Network

Katsuya Kitamura, a leading Japanese wrestler (of the Greco-Roman, rather than sumo, variety) has been banned from competing for two years, after being found guilty of doping.

The Japan Anti-Doping Agency implemented the ban - for testing positive for anabolic steroids - on Monday (June 13th), ruling Mr Kitamura out of next year's London Olympics.

Yuji Takada, who is the general secretary of the Japan Wrestling Federation, said the organisation will work to ensure others are not taking performance-enhancing drugs.

"We never thought our wrestlers were buying supplements from overseas," he said.

"We've become trouble for the sports community with the London Olympics right around the corner. We will work to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Japanese sumo wrestling has also found itself mired in a scandal recently. Earlier this year, 25 wrestlers and other people involved in the sport were severely punished for being involved in the match-fixing.

Written by Kimberley Homer


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