Doping tests to start!

[sekitori 492]

And here is the newsflash: The kyokai is preparing tests for steroids as well.

Because the use of stimulants and marijuana is illegal and because a few rikishis have been arrested and thrown out of sumo for using them recently, I can understand why they are the first drugs to be the subject of testing. However, it's doubtful if their use contributes to any advantage on the dohyo. They could even be detrimental.

Since the use of performance enhancing drugs such as steroids and human growth hormone can produce an enormously unfair competitive advantage, testing for their use is much more important when related to sumo.

What is the source of this info? If it's true, it would be great news. I see no advantage in their using steroids, but will oyakatas be tested along with rikishis just as they are for stimulants? Hopefully, there will be very few if any positive results for these drugs. But in a sport where strength is so vital, I have doubts that every rikishi out of approximately 700 will escape unscathed. (Enjoyable TV program...) I just hope that if anyone has been using these drugs, the NSK will wait awhile before testing so that they have enough time to get rid of all traces of them.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

What is the source of this info?

Nikkan-reliable and quoting Kyokai members.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

They are now saying the results will be in in 2-3 weeks.

Looks like the results may come out during the first week of the basho. Fingers crossed...

Now, Sanspo is saying the results could be given in a matter of days.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

What is the source of this info?

Nikkan-reliable and quoting Kyokai members.

And of course, it would be kinda silly not to introduce doping tests after they were already talking about formalizing penalties two weeks ago...

Edited April 24, 2009 by Asashosakari

[hidenohana 0]

Today, the second anti-doping lecture was held, this time attended by Hakuhou, among others. "I didn't reach Yokozuna by doing THAT..", he said. The lecture took an hour and 20 minutes. "There is a possibility that I inadvertently used medicine containing some of these outlawed substances while treating myself for fatigue or pain. I have to go through 6 basho a year, and we may be losing some of our privacy in our daily life.. I bet there is no one in the Sumo world who uses these substances..", he reflected. Since he entered Sumo in 2000, he has gained 85 kilos. "I can understand people are saying this kind of weight-gain is suspect, but I categorically deny any usage of these substances. Getting large using drugs and getting large doing keiko are two entirely different things!", said Hakuhou. Asked about the proposed punishment of taking away a yusho from a positive-testing winner,

My understanding is that the wrestler do not get large with keiko,but rather with the vast amount of chanko nabe they take after practice.Steroids and human growth hormone help with the recovery after workout.You still need to train hard and have a proper diet,if you are to make proper use of these supplements.Steroids and HGH in fact,by reducing recovery time from a workout,allows a committed athlete to train with greater intensity and volume.

he said: "I don't really think about that since I don't use anything, but what worries me is what will happen if I test positive anyway.. what do I do then??"

Tomorrow, it's Asashouryuu's Takasago Ichimon's turn.

Looking worried:

Haha.Why would he say that? If he has nothing to hide,why would he question the reliability of a WADA approved laboratory.IMO he's definitely on something.With regards to these drugs sumo had a level playing field. If reports about the new strict testing is reliable,get ready for the kind of circumvention of these test you see in the modern Olympics.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Haha.Why would he say that?

Perhaps because the post you're quoting is 14 months old, at which time the plan was still to test to the full WADA catalog of prohibited substances, and many sumo wrestlers are probably using all kinds of questionable pain killers, "herbal" treatments and other stuff (much like pro wrestlers do) that are outlawed under WADA but don't come anywhere close to steroids in their relevance.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

All 103 testies' results were negative.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Our bi-monthly doping update...

It appears they're sorta serious about steroids, after all. According to reports in Sports Hochi and Mainichi, the next rijikai session at the end of May is set to approve a three-tiered suspension system for doping violations, with the exact details to be hammered out at the next meeting of the anti-doping committee in early May.

Unless I missed it, there wasn't any news at the beginning of May, so I guess they didn't make further alterations to the planned suspensions. Not that it matters much so far because, jumping to present time - last week's riji meeting did talk about the reports that were prepared but didn't make any decisions one way or another. And today's anti-doping committee meeting was postponed as key member Onishi was hospitalized last week. Possibly something more serious as bits and pieces in various articles mention 1) there's no date set for the next meeting, 2) Isenoumi is already talking about possibly "having to go ahead without Onishi" and find a new committee member to replace his expertise, and 3) all this may endanger their ability to introduce full-on performance-enhancing drug tests by the end of the year as originally planned (Sports Hochi even puts the previous target as "after Nagoya basho"). Uh, okay.

On the upside, "the recent developments have already raised the awareness of all association members vis-a-vis the issue of doping", as per Isenoumi. A questionnaire was handed out to all active rikishi during Natsu basho in order to collect information about the various supplements that are being taken right now. (Presumably to see exactly what mess they're likely to get themselves into if they do go ahead with PED testing...)

Edited June 3, 2009 by Asashosakari

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

I would have been much more suprised if things had gone forward without any of these delays...

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Doping tests going on today at the Kokugikan.

Indeed, indeed. This time it's Kokonoe, Miyagino and others. meaning Chiyotaikai and Hakuhou took the tests. But did injured Chiyohakuhou take the test?? This was the second batch of testees.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Doping tests going on today at the Kokugikan.

Indeed, indeed. This time it's Kokonoe, Miyagino and others. meaning Chiyotaikai and Hakuhou took the tests. But did injured Chiyohakuhou take the test?? This was the second batch of testees.

Others being Hanaregoma, Kataonami and Dewanoumi. (Couldn't find a stable from Tokitsukaze-ichimon this time?) 103 rikishi and personnel tested in total, which I guess is going to be the approximate amount of people they're going to have in each of these rounds going forward. 2 hospitalized rikishi from Dewanoumi-beya were excused.

Tamanoshima and other Kataonami rikishi having a ball:

[Kintamayama 44,354]

"There won't be any mistakes about the test results. I really don't mind if I'm tested positive or negative", said Hakuhou, laughing quite loudly. "I didn't know we were going to be tested back in September. All the troubles back then caused the Oyakata much grief. I wanted to be tested as quickly as possible, and I feel refreshed", added Chiyohakuhou, who was mysteriously missing from the ill-fated September spot check.

Edited June 8, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Test number three is underway today. Sadogatake (of course, right after Holland..) Oguruma (Wakakirin's old heya) and Harumafuji's Isegahama are targeted for today. More info when available.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Test number three is underway today. Sadogatake (of course, right after Holland..) Oguruma (Wakakirin's old heya) and Harumafuji's Isegahama are targeted for today. More info when available.

Add Irumagawa and Nishikido- all together 111 people.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

It took Harumafuji 90 minutes to deliver a sample. "I drank 6 bottles of water, but nothing..", he said.

2-3 weeks to wait for all results.

"Maybe I should have had some Cal-piss.."

Edited June 11, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Same thing happened to Ben Johnson in the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics.... (Sigh...)

He drank something like 8-10 beers, and took an hour to produce a sample after winning in the 100m final.

[JariM 29]

t took Harumafuji 90 minutes to deliver a sample. "I drank 6 bottles of water, but nothing..", he said.

2-3 weeks to wait for all results.

"Maybe I should have had some Cal-piss.."

Same thing happened to Ben Johnson in the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics.... dry.gif

He drank something like 8-10 beers, and took an hour to produce a sample after winning in the 100m final.

Well it's not like you can just decide and go.

Btw.

Doesn't excessive water drinking cause the sample to be diluted?

Which could cause a false negative?

Anyway I'm not saying that Harumafuji would be on roids or anything.

Just wondering.

[James H 0]

Anyway I'm not saying that Harumafuji would be on roids or anything

It wouldn't matter if he was because that's not what they were testing for.

I don't know who to be more angry at for this constant confusion... the JSA for allowing the media to get all confused about WTF these tests are for, or the media for making it worse.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Anyway I'm not saying that Harumafuji would be on roids or anything

It wouldn't matter if he was because that's not what they were testing for.

I don't know who to be more angry at for this constant confusion... the JSA for allowing the media to get all confused about WTF these tests are for, or the media for making it worse.

I think that confusion in just what was being tested for probably played a part in making the ozeki a bit shy, and unable to perform on command...

[Sasanishiki 57]

Just to add to Kinta's report:

The six bottles of water were each 280ml.

Oguruma-beya, the former home of disgraced Wakakirin, also had its wrestlers tested. With a stern expression, Takekaze remarked "I was nervous. I'm a sumotori and all I only do sumo." [presumably as opposed to taking recreational drugs]

[Manekineko 200]

Btw.

Doesn't excessive water drinking cause the sample to be diluted?

Which could cause a false negative?

I doubt you could dilute the sample so much that the substance (whichever you're testing for) would be remain undetected, analytical methods have gotten amazingly good. And I guess they would adjust the concentration according to some standard to avoid passing/not passing the threshold depending on how much water there was in the urine.

Oh yeah, nervousness can stop you filling the cup no matter how much you drink. I drank an extra half litre of water before my general health exam (obligatory before getting employed), and still couldn't go. Drank another half litre while waiting my turn again, and only managed to squeeze a bit. And all that water didn't come out until I was scheduled for X-ray 2 hours later. (In a state of confusion...)

[Zentoryu 154]

Oh yeah, nervousness can stop you filling the cup no matter how much you drink. I drank an extra half litre of water before my general health exam (obligatory before getting employed), and still couldn't go.

Same thing happened to me. When I first started having my health problems late last year, I had to make a number of trips to the doctor, some of which required urine tests. Because I was so nervous over finding out what was wrong with me, it didn't matter how much water I drank, I had problems producing even a small amount.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Batch number 4 today- 7 heyas, 110 people. Azumazeki, Shikoroyama, Asahiyama, Tagonoura, Kasugayama, Arashio and Hanakago. "I've got nothing to hide. I am innocent! I don't even smoke cigarettes. If I test positive I'll quit myself.." said Takamisakari. "Now we can all look forward to Nagoya cleanly", added Shikoroyama Oyakata. The heyas were notified of the tests two days ago, just like all the tests held till now. As the Kyokai has explained before, it takes more than 2 days for drugs to totally vanish from the system, so they see no problem with that.

This is the last batch of tests until Nagoya. So far, 22 of the 52 heyas were inspected.

Edited June 19, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Kotoviki 16]

Oh yeah, nervousness can stop you filling the cup no matter how much you drink. I drank an extra half litre of water before my general health exam (obligatory before getting employed), and still couldn't go.

Same thing happened to me. When I first started having my health problems late last year, I had to make a number of trips to the doctor, some of which required urine tests. Because I was so nervous over finding out what was wrong with me, it didn't matter how much water I drank, I had problems producing even a small amount.

I am glad to know that this happens to other people because it doesn't seem to happen to many Japanese people around me when it comes time for our annual school physicals for our teaching licenses. I feel nervous just to be having a physical and while I seem to go to the bathroom a million times a day I have a hard time producing their sample requests (for both types) during the two days of testing. I know it is just nerves so I'm a little relieved to know this happens to other people!

[Orion 431]

Same thing happened to me. When I first started having my health problems late last year, I had to make a number of trips to the doctor, some of which required urine tests. Because I was so nervous over finding out what was wrong with me, it didn't matter how much water I drank, I had problems producing even a small amount.

The phenomenon is called "bashful bladder". One mind trick that works almost every time is to go to a washbasin and turn on the tap (faucet) full. The _sound_ of rushing water nearly always works. (And at Niagara Falls the effect on honeymooners can be almost instananeous.) (In a state of confusion...)

Orion