The world of sumo wrestling is now being bombarded by several drug-related scandals. This was due to a previous issue involving a Japanese wrestler who was sentenced to a 10-month imprisonment after being caught with an approximate amount of six grams of marijuana.

Japanese anti-doping officers conducted random tests among 100 wrestlers and officials to determine who is using recreational drugs including marijuana. Collecting urine samples is not a common practice in sumo wrestling but veteran sumo Kyokutenho has showed his support over this new policy.

This effort; however does not only concentrate on determining marijuana residue since it will soon be used to check steroid metabolites among sumo wrestlers and officials.

From ABC News:

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, the boss of the Japan Sumo Association, Musashigawa, says the sport must now brace itself for new scandal – saying the tests will continue and that every wrestler will be forced to produce a urine sample.

“It’s good that they’ve started these random tests”, says the 160kg wrestler. “Because in the past sumo has been beset by scandal.”

And no-one is immune from testing. Even the sumo world’s top wrestler, the grand champion Asashoryu, was called in to submit a sample.

While these tests are focussed on recreational drugs such as marijuana, it is believed anti-doping officials are also looking out for other illegal substances.

Last week, sumo’s only other grand champion, the Mongolian Hakuho, told the foreign press the sport’s governing body would soon begin testing for steroids.

According to Mr. Musashigawa of the Japan Sumo Association, everyone will be obliged to submit urine sample. He also said that this new policy will continue, and nobody will be spared. Those who underwent urine test were grateful to have the new regulation so they can prove the public that Japanese sumo wrestling is clean.

Tags: marijuana, steroids, Sumo wrestling

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In a country that takes pride in every single detail that they do, the assault to one of its most revered sports‘ reputation is cause for panic. Having just recently been accused of fixed games, tax evasions, sex scandals, illegal gambling and consorting with the Yakuza (among other things), the Japanese are frantic to salvage whatever they can in response to the latest threat to Sumo wrestlers.

Performance enhancing drugs or steroids. Such drugs are unacceptable to the Japanese, especially when there’s a game. Not fair at all. In light of recent events (and accusations) it’s no wonder that less and less Japanese boys are eager to live their lives Sumo wrestling. Only one kid applied the previous year to join the Sumo world. At this rate, 2000 years of tradition is well on its way to extinction. And the Japanese can’t have that.

From Daily Yomiuri Online:

The executive board of the Japan Sumo Association, reeling from a series of marijuana-related arrests of wrestlers, on Friday laid down the law, specifying strict rules and penalties against such behavior.

The board also decided to implement doping tests without advance notice. Wrestlers who refuse to take a doping test without an acceptable reason will be punished. The JSA will report positive results to police.

“I believe these [rules] are comprehensive and effective. We’ll enforce them as soon as possible,” said JSA chairman Musashigawa.

Money always fixes the problem. The lack of it will definitely set things straight. To explain, JSA has declared that Sumo wrestlers caught red-handed using any kind of performance enhancing drug will be stripped away of their retirement pay. Or a very large cut to their pay. And if they still don’t give a fig about their money or pension (which is really, very rare in Japan) then let’s hope the police will set them straight. The fun part is that they won’t even see it coming. Drug tests will be done announced so when you’re caught.

Hopefully just these two rules will be enough to fix this latest problem faced by the Sumo. It would be a shame to see this long-standing tradition fade away because of a couple of drugs. And shame is something that the Japanese doesn’t handle very well. Neither does the rest of the world, for that matter.

Tags: illegal drugs, JAPAN, JSA, marijuana, steroids, Sumo wrestling

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