Doping tests to start!

[Kintamayama 44,810]

As promised by the Kyokai, the first anti-doping lecture was given at the shishokai today. Not to the rikishi, but to the shisho, by a member of the Japan Anti Doping Association (JADA). An internal kyokai anti-doping committee was established back in June, with one delegate from each 5 ichimons participating. "Each shisho received an explanation why doping is not good", said Kyokai PR manager Takasago Oyakata, himself regarded in some circles as a dope.

Edited May 3, 2008 by Kintamayama

[sekitori 492]

"Each shisho received an explanation why doping is not good"

After reading such a "forceful" statement, I'm sure that any shisho who is involved with doping will probably be filled with fear as to its consequences and will immediately stop. (Holiday feeling...) This explanation has the same effect as telling people that they shouldn't commit murder because it's not a nice thing to do. As a statement that attempts to deter the use of doping, on a scale of effectiveness from 1 to 10, this one comes in at zero.

[Sasanishiki 57]

Well, in the past couple of months, effective and Takasago oyakata haven't really been acquaintances. However, to be fair to him, I am sure that this is a Kyokai-wide level of caution regarding drugs - we want to be seen to do something, but we don;t want to open a can of worms (that we ourselves might have a part in filling).

Edited September 27, 2007 by Sasanishiki

[Kintamayama 44,810]

The Kyokai has officially announced it will commence with doping tests in January 2009. This was decided in the second meeting of the anti-doping committee which was established at the behest of the Education , Sport, culture, etc.. ministry. During the coming year, all rikishi will receive explanations on this matter, and experimental urine tests will be taken during hon-basho, and then be sold on e-bay. (Ok, the e-bay part is a lie..)

As an example, they are saying that if a yusho or sansho rikishi will test positive on senshuraku, there is a possibility of him being stripped of his title.

OTOH, the Kyokai doctor explains that many rikishi have sumo-related chronic illnesses like gout, and take medicine regularly that can be regarded as a banned substance in other sports, so it won't be an easy road. The Kyokai may have to implement its own rules here. Other people are saying that it's about time Sumo clean up its "dark" side, and the rules should be based on the world wide criteria.

Kaikitsune Makoto-what is your take on this??

[Kaikitsune Makoto 206]

The Kyokai has officially announced it will commence with doping tests in January 2009. This was decided in the second meeting of the anti-doping committee which was established at the behest of the Education , Sport, culture, etc.. ministry. During the coming year, all rikishi will receive explanations on this matter, and experimental urine tests will be taken during hon-basho, and then be sold on e-bay. (Ok, the e-bay part is a lie..)

As an example, they are saying that if a yusho or sansho rikishi will test positive on senshuraku, there is a possibility of him being stripped of his title.

OTOH, the Kyokai doctor explains that many rikishi have sumo-related chronic illnesses like gout, and take medicine regularly that can be regarded as a banned substance in other sports, so it won't be an easy road. The Kyokai may have to implement its own rules here. Other people are saying that it's about time Sumo clean up its "dark" side, and the rules should be based on the world wide criteria.

Kaikitsune Makoto-what is your take on this??

My take on this is that this is a very big balagan. In makuuchi everyone is on roids or growth hormones, some more, some less, same with juryo. Implementing tests for anabolic steroids will be a huge havoc all around if the results actually lead to stripping titles etc. There are no medication for gout that is a banned substance I think. All in all, growth hormone test is the key. If there is no such, then probably less roids and even more growth hormone. My prediction is that Kyokai will find a way to avoid the tests on some excuse and this is go away quietly or the results will be kept secret and not much fuss about that. Kyokai is full of oyakata who were active in the full roid rampage era. Everybody in sumo knows nobody can be successful without enhancing substances. I think this will be very dangerous or interesting road indeed. Sumo is so much based on size and power that this is a huge subject.

[Sasanishiki 57]

The Kyokai has officially announced it will commence with doping tests in January 2009.

Wow! My first response to this was to check that today's date was not at the beginning of April. We shal have to see how the intent is actually put into practice though.

[ilovesumo 12]

Even on Sumo blogs....not April yet....

Nishikido wrote, that tests are a good thing. Fair play is everything but there are still many not answered questions.

Edited October 17, 2007 by ilovesumo

[Sasanishiki 57]

I just read anotehr report online and I think one of the important things to consider is that they said it would January 09 at the earliest before they start taking urine samples. I guess we could be waiting even longer. Isenoumi was quoted as saying that this is not just a matter for the rikishi to consider, but also for the okamisan and managers of the heyas to learn about because they are responsible for the wrestlers' diet (I think he meant the issue about them taking medication, not performance enhancing drugs).

[Johnofuji 232]

They implemented drug testing a few years ago for us at the Amateur Sumo World Championships and surprisingly there have been no dramas.As far as I know it had been on the IFS agenda since at least 1997.At that meeting they decided it wasn't necessary and were going to take it off the agenda until the big South African strongman Mark Robinson walked past the room at the wrong time.He was a man who could lift all 300+kegs of Manny Yarbourough.Needless to say they thought it would be wise to keep it on the agenda and work towards the introduction of drug testing.

Do you think they will test for performance reducing drugs as I hear that a few sekitori don't mind the odd toke in the alley behind their Heya. I have a newspaper article deep in my archives that said the Hawaiians enjoyed their pakalalal (I think thats what they call it).

Maybe it is not roids making them big -it's just the munchies!

I'm sure they don't want to risk 7 years in Jail for anything illegal but then again the Japanese cops can be bought off with Hello Kitty trinkets.

Kintamayama .They sell urine samples on p-bay not e-bay but make sure you don't get the wrong ones.I think that dirty cheat Marion Jones acccidently ended up with a sample from a Tour de France cyclist.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Do you think they will test for performance reducing drugs as I hear that a few sekitori don't mind the odd toke in the alley behind their Heya. I have a newspaper article deep in my archives that said the Hawaiians enjoyed their pakalalal (I think thats what they call it).

Maybe it is not roids making them big -it's just the munchies!

I'm sure they don't want to risk 7 years in Jail for anything illegal but then again the Japanese cops can be bought off with Hello Kitty trinkets.

I think the locals in Hawaii use pakalolo in place of Mary Jane. Maybe Azumazeki-beya's wayward gambler coulda paid off his debt selling Maui Wowie on the side. :-)

[Asashosakari 19,104]

I just read anotehr report online and I think one of the important things to consider is that they said it would January 09 at the earliest before they start taking urine samples.

Actually, as Kinta wrote they're planning to take urine samples already next year, but without any sanctioning mechanisms in place (yet).

Edit: I guess you were referring to the Mainichi article which seems a bit muddled on whether 2009 would mark the start of sample-taking altogether, or just the official testing. I'm inclined to go with the Hochi article given that it had quotes from Isenoumi to the effect that there would indeed be experimental sampling in 2008 already.

Edited October 18, 2007 by Asashosakari

[Sasanishiki 57]

At that meeting they decided it wasn't necessary and were going to take it off the agenda until the big South African strongman Mark Robinson walked past the room at the wrong time.He was a man who could lift all 300+kegs of Manny Yarbourough.Needless to say they thought it would be wise to keep it on the agenda and work towards the introduction of drug testing.

I don't know about Robinson, but I'm sure Svetoslav Binev from Bulgaria would have raised a few eyebrows. He was a lightweight who had more muscles than half the heavyweights.

[kenzo 5]

At that meeting they decided it wasn't necessary and were going to take it off the agenda until the big South African strongman Mark Robinson walked past the room at the wrong time.He was a man who could lift all 300+kegs of Manny Yarbourough.Needless to say they thought it would be wise to keep it on the agenda and work towards the introduction of drug testing.

I don't know about Robinson, but I'm sure Svetoslav Binev from Bulgaria would have raised a few eyebrows. He was a lightweight who had more muscles than half the heavyweights.

To my knowledge , there have been two possitive tests in AMA sumo from European athletes since 1999 both recieved suspensions.

[Johnofuji 232]

To my knowledge , there have been two possitive tests in AMA sumo from European athletes since 1999 both recieved suspensions.

Kenzo - they must be the two officials that are still banned by the IFS?Do you know them? Maintain the rage!!!

Is chewing tobacco banned as I fear there is a scary backy chawing sumo who might be making a comeback after his WSL ban?

[Kintamayama 44,810]

A doping course with lectures will commence in February 2008, it has been announced today. The rikishi will be obliged to attend the course and learn of the bad ways of doping. Additionally, the steroid enhanced yobidashi, gyoji and all heya affiliated personnel, including Okamisan (!! ) will have to attend. The aim is to start doping tests at the beginning of 2009.

Edited November 18, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Naganoyama 5,886]

I think that the Okamisan is a good person to have there. I guess she would know what was going on in the heya and is probably someone that the younger rikishi would go to for help or advice.

[Jakusotsu 5,892]

The aim is to start doping tests at the beginning of 2009.

The "aim", eh? So do they really expect rikishi to stop doping right now just because the "aim" is 2009? These kids need hard facts and timetables to deal with, not some wish-wash. They need to know "in Hatsu 2009 you have to be 100% clean or else..." to work on it accordingly. Anything less is just the usual airy-fairy eyewash.

[Sasanishiki 57]

The "aim", eh? So do they really expect rikishi to stop doping right now just because the "aim" is 2009? These kids need hard facts and timetables to deal with, not some wish-wash. They need to know "in Hatsu 2009 you have to be 100% clean or else..." to work on it accordingly. Anything less is just the usual airy-fairy eyewash.

Yes, but you must remember that we are getting a certain message aimed toward the public. Behind the scenes the rikishi themselves might have a much firmer message of "make sure you are clean because the tests are coming, and this is the timeline"

[Kintamayama 44,810]

The dope course will be held between February 13-16 at the KKan and will consist of lectures to Oyakata and rikishi alike. The plan is to start serious dope testing in Hatsu 2009. "I feel the Oyakata's urgency to implement these tests..(insert icon of your choice). We will be deciding soon about concrete methods to check and deal with it, but time is fleeting and 2009 is around the corner and we want no dilly dallying", said Mr. Oonishi, the man in charge.

[Kintamayama 44,810]

At the rikishi-kai meeting yesterday, it has been announced that experimental drug tests will commence already next year. The official drug tests will start in 2009. The anti-dope Oonishi san explained what will be happening. "They listened very carefully. It's important to know everything about doping, so I intend to keep the rikishi well informed!", he said.

Edited December 22, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 44,810]

Test doping tests will start in Aki of this year, it has been learned today. The tests will be held according to the standards of WADA, the World A Doping Asomething. The real tests will begin as soon as penalties and rules will be decided.

[Sasanishiki 57]

The tests will be held according to the standards of WADA, the World A Doping Asomething. The real tests will begin as soon as penalties and rules will be decided.

World Anti-Doping Agency.

Very interesting. This is the standard that amateur sumo works to as well. However, amasumo only randomly tests medal winners at the Sumo World Champs. There is no testing at other events (as far as I've found), nor out of competition testing.

So, while there might be standards, part of the big issue is how widely those standards are applied and when. It will be interesting to see who, how, and when the ozumo rikishi will be tested.

[Petr 0]

The tests will be held according to the standards of WADA, the World A Doping Asomething. The real tests will begin as soon as penalties and rules will be decided.

World Anti-Doping Agency.

Very interesting. This is the standard that amateur sumo works to as well. However, amasumo only randomly tests medal winners at the Sumo World Champs. There is no testing at other events (as far as I've found), nor out of competition testing.

So, while there might be standards, part of the big issue is how widely those standards are applied and when. It will be interesting to see who, how, and when the ozumo rikishi will be tested.

There are doping tests in Japanese college sumo, maybe similar system to the World Champs, not sure.

[Kintamayama 44,810]

The doping tests will be done on senshuraku, targeting the yusho winner and most probably the sansho winners as well. WADA had asked back in November for all national sports bodies to starting doing tests . The Ministry of Education, Sports and Whatnot backed this, so the Kyokai is finally going to (attempt to?) do it. Problems may arise, though. Asa's favorite intravenous drips, for instance, are considered illegal by WADA standards. Mr. Onishi of the Dope Board: "We will publish pamphlets with the WADA guidelines for all the rikishi to study. The foreign rikishi will receive pamphlets in their own languages". Until the tests are truly enforced, no steps will be taken against offending rikishi. "If the Aki basho yusho winner's tests proves positive, it will be seriously terrible.. We've got to start educating the rikishi NOW", emphasized Isenoumi Oyakata, another board member.

Edited February 6, 2008 by Kintamayama

[sekihiryu 51]

Some people wondered what was wrong with Homasho* this most recent basho, I think the general theme of the thread could have something to do with it....... if you get my drift.

*my theory on the 'supplements' to his chanko can be found here in the Homasho thread in Sumo informaion pond.