Inside Japan - Sports News Archive - Japan's Sumo Pot Scandal Widens

Asashoryu's comeback marred by same old antics

In the past six months, four wrestlers have been kicked out of the ancient sport for allegedly smoking marijuana, creating the biggest drugs-in-sports scandal that Japan has ever seen.

Those who harped on about Asashoryu's niggling elbow injury and time away from the dohyo were left with egg on their faces as the yokozuna completed a stunning comeback that climaxed
in a playoff win over fellow yokozuna Hakuho.
(Yomiuri) // FULL ARTICLE

Tokyo bid says $4 billion already secured for 2016

Although three of the wrestlers who have been expelled from the sport were from Russia, the arrest last week of a 25-year-old Japanese athlete who goes by the ring name of Wakakirin for possession of marijuana has raised concern that use of the drug may be more widespread than originally thought.

In Japan, sumo wrestlers are not seen as athletes in the way that baseball or tennis players are. A photo of U.S. swimming star Michael Phelps with a marijuana pipe got wide play in the media here, but nowhere near the consternation of the sumo scandal.

(Tokyo AP) // FULL ARTICLE

Tokyo has already secured $4 billion to fund construction of venues for the 2016 Olympics despite the global economic downturn, a leader of the Japanese bid said Thursday. Hidetoshi Maki, deputy director of the Tokyo 2016 bid team, said the money has been set aside by the government for construction of sports facilities, roads and other infrastructure costs.

(AP) // FULL ARTICLE

Asashoryu's comeback marred by same
old antics
Toshiba wing Loamanu fails drug test
Tokyo bid says $4 billion already secured for 2016
Wakakirin won't apply for retirement payout
Mitsubishi makes exit from Dakar Rally
Japan among 13 countries interested in hosting World Cups

MORE

Toshiba wing Loamanu fails
drug test (Yomiuri)

Aussie Rules: O'hAilpin banned over trial match fight.

Fiery Carlton key position player Setanta O'hAilpin has been suspended indefinitely by the Blues for an extraordinary attack on teammate Cameron Cloke during an AFL intra-club match on Friday. The Irishman punched and kicked Cloke in the third term of the match, prompting team leader Brendan Fevola to immediately order him from the ground.

(AAP) // FULL ARTICLE

Toshiba Brave Lupus and Japan wing Christian Loamanu tested positive for marijuana and other substances last month, the Japan Rugby Football Union said Thursday.

Loamanu, who in 2005 became the youngest-ever player to represent Japan when he lined up against Uruguay aged 18 years 11 months and 3 days, has denied using marijuana.

// FULL ARTICLE