Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi has resigned following tests showing that wrestlers Roho and Hakurozan, siblings from Russia, had smoked marijuana. The former yokozuna, one of the sport's all-time greats, should realize that it was his inappropriate behavior in the case that made his resignation necessary.
Following the Aug. 18 arrest, and subsequent firing, of Russian wrestler Wakanoho on suspicion of possessing cannabis, the JSA tested the urine of its wrestlers on Sept. 2 without prior notice. Roho and Hakurozan tested positive for marijuana, although both denied smoking the illegal substance, or even being in the presence of others who smoked it. They asked that their samples be subjected to more rigorous testing. It was revealed last weekend that detailed tests of "A" samples from both men, conducted by Mitsubishi Chemical Medience Corp., were positive. Both men demanded that the Mitsubishi entity not test their "B" samples; instead, they asked that the National Research Institute of Police Science perform the tests.
As the Mitsubishi entity is Japan's only institution certified by the World Anti-Doping Agency, Mr. Kitanoumi, stable master for Hakurozan, should have turned down the Russian wrestlers' demands to have their samples tested elsewhere. By backing their demands he appeared to not appreciate the seriousness of the Mitsubishi entity's findings. Mr. Kitanoumi's refusal to accept the findings by Japan's only WADA-certified entity also ran counter to the efforts of the JSA's own anti-doping committee. It plans to carry out anti-doping tests for wrestlers from next year.