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What will the Kyokai do now - Roho and Hakurozan Issue?

Jonosuke

By Jonosuke
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Asashosakari Dai-yokozuna

Asashosakari

Posted
Posted (edited)
So who were the individuals pushing for this "surprise urine test"? Is there any precedent for such a test or is this the first time?

Today's unannounced tests were scheduled during the meeting of the Prevention Committee on the 29th, which is rapidly becoming uncomfortably large to me, what with their being in charge of doping issues, heya guidance and (as far as Mitsuru Yaku is concerned) Asashoryu-watching.

(Though it was quite delicious to see a certain SML member railing against Yaku due to the latter's Asashoryu comments the other day, considering said member was clamouring more loudly than any other non-Japanese fan for such an all-powerful committee all through the last year...)

Edit: Incidentally, according to Hochi today's tests were for marijuana and two types of (unspecified) stimulants, so this presumably wasn't part of the upcoming testing regimen for performance-enhancing substances. I guess one of the types of stimulants was probably MDMA derivatives, but not being up to speed (no pun intended) on what's fashionable in Japan's drug culture I have no idea what the other might have been. Maybe we'll find out in tomorrow's articles.

Edited by Asashosakari
hidenohana Juryo

hidenohana

Posted
Posted (edited)
Now that Roho and Hakurozan were found positive for marijuana after the Kyokai did a surprise urine test, what will the Kyokai be doing?

So who were the individuals pushing for this "surprise urine test"? Is there any precedent for such a test or is this the first time?

Up in post #5 Fay linked to a topic that may help with some of your questions...

Professor Yohei Onishi? Hmm...

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programgu...02/s2169764.htm

On the other thread,it seems that Asashoryu was cheerfully bu$$$$ting him

Then Asa himself took the mike and explained in detail about this case as well. "The Yokozuna was really into the discussion today!", said an enthusiastic Mr. Oonishi. "In sumo one strengthens one's body by doing keiko and eating chanko. Chanko is better than medicine!", declared Asashouryuu.

If the kyokai do adopt strict WADA protocols,I do hope they know what they are getting into.I can well see the disruption to sumo and the number of the wrestler effected being far greater,than this cannabis scandal.

I suppose that is for another thread.....

Edited by hidenohana
hidenohana Juryo

hidenohana

Posted
Posted (edited)
Edit: Incidentally, according to Hochi today's tests were for marijuana and two types of (unspecified) stimulants, so this presumably wasn't part of the upcoming testing regimen for performance-enhancing substances. I guess one of the types of stimulants was probably MDMA derivatives, but not being up to speed (no pun intended) on what's fashionable in Japan's drug culture I have no idea what the other might have been. Maybe we'll find out in tomorrow's articles.

Nah MDMA is ecstasy. That can't improve an athlete's performance,can it?Speed or amphetamine,which is a stimulant is different.

Edited by hidenohana
Asashosakari Dai-yokozuna

Asashosakari

Posted
Posted (edited)
Nah MDMA is ecstasy. That can't improve an athlete's performance,can it?Speed or amphetamine,which is a stimulant is different.

As I said, my reading of the articles is that this wasn't necessarily connected to the performance-enhancement stuff that is supposedly coming in after Aki basho (or next year, or whatever the most recent pronouncement was).

"Stimulant" (覚せい剤) was what the article said, but I'm not sure they're using it in the strict sense; given the grouping with marijuana they might mean that the testing focussed on recreational drugs, especially since there probably isn't much of a point to taking amphetamines and the like while there's neither practice nor a basho going on.

Edited by Asashosakari
Jonosuke Yokozuna

Jonosuke

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
The information on the US State Department website says one can be arrested for positive blood or urine tests. I know of one foreigner who had a bad trip, called an ambulance, and was arrested after the hospital did a drug test, and shared the results with the police. The brothers Kazmarov are in a very precarious situation.

I couldn't believe that so I looked it up and really the US State Department writes what you've said. The full text is:

"People can be convicted of drug use based on positive blood or urine tests alone, and multiple Americans are now serving time in Japanese prisons as the result of sting operations and the use of informants."

I am not sure what specific drug uses they are talking about, but as far as I know, there is no criminal penalty against a simple use of marijuana in Japanese law, only for possession or for selling purpose.

In any case I believe it's pretty clear now that Kitanoumi must step down if the tests prove conclusive.

So who will take over? Kokonoe? Isenoumi? Tomozuna?

Edited by Jonosuke
Jonosuke Yokozuna

Jonosuke

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

And comments:

Kitanoumi oyakata, Hakurozan's shisho and Kyokai chairman

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"Even though Hakurozan did not indicate anything two weeks ago (when he was questioned by police relating to Wakanoho), but in the today's test, apparently there was a bit of reaction. If there is any doubt, he should get more detailed tests. I heard both (Roho and Hakurozan) were found to be positive."

Isenoumi oyakata (chairman of the Prevention Committee)

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"This is truly regrettable. We wanted to tell all loud and clear that other than Wakanoho we are all clean. We will consider the convening of a special Directors Meeting once we receive the formal findings. Obviously we are hoping that the results will be found to be in error."

Prof. Yohei Onishi (Member of the Prevention Committee and supervisor of Kyokai's drug testing program)

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"Using the same urine Roho was tested three times and Hakurozan, twice but they all came back positive. We could ascertain if it was a result of second hand smoke or primarily ingested by more exhaustive testing. The Kyokai must make a firm stand against the use of stimulants and illegal drugs."

Edit:

Hakurozan

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"I have never ever used it. Even the police did more checks on me, they will not find anything."

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The police searched both Hakurozan's room at Otake Beya and Roho's room at Kitanoumi Beya but they apparently did not find any apparatus nor evidence of marijuana use.

Edited by Jonosuke
Gernobono Yokozuna

Gernobono

Posted
Posted
The police searched both Hakurozan's room at Otake Beya and Roho's room at Kitanoumi Beya but they apparently did not find any apparatus nor evidence of marijuana use.

if the police had found anything related to marijiuana-use on their search, the russians should have denied both the entry to the country .....

ilovesumo Yokozuna

ilovesumo

Posted
Posted (edited)
as far as I know, there is no criminal penalty against a simple use of marijuana in Japanese law, only for possession or for selling purpose.

Correct.

possession, growing, buying, selling, importing, exporting.

Smoking is not against the law, but can't U only smoke what you possessed?

It's pretty unfair if Waka goes to prison and those 2 don't...

Asahi shinbun link

Sanspo link (many pics on the right side)

Mainichi shinbun (many pages)

Yomiuri shinbun (many pages)

Edited by ilovesumo
Kintamayama Dai-yokozuna

Kintamayama

Posted
Posted

I go out of the house for a few hours and this?? My first post today about the spot inspection stated they were both tested much longer than the others. Should have guessed..

But what will happen now?? I don't think they have much of a choice, including Kitanoumi.

May you live in interesting times.

Kintamayama Dai-yokozuna

Kintamayama

Posted
Posted
Rewind to 1998 Nagano Olympics, Canadian snowboarder tests positive for pot and is questioned by Japnaese police:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/winter_ol...board/55827.stm

He later got to keep his medal and I don't believe he was ever charged with anything.

Was he a rikishi? I think not-this is sumo and we play by different standards. I bet the farm they are gone by the end of the week, providing the additional tests prove positive as well.

Asashosakari Dai-yokozuna

Asashosakari

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Posted (edited)
Was he a rikishi? I think not-this is sumo and we play by different standards. I bet the farm they are gone by the end of the week, providing the additional tests prove positive as well.

I think (rather, I guessed...) that Harry was commenting on the notion that foreigners can end up in jail merely for testing positive.

In any case, there's a 10-day window for any decisions now - until the release of the shonichi torikumi.

Edited by Asashosakari
Harry Ozeki

Harry

Posted
Posted (edited)
Rewind to 1998 Nagano Olympics, Canadian snowboarder tests positive for pot and is questioned by Japanese police:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/winter_ol...board/55827.stm

He later got to keep his medal and I don't believe he was ever charged with anything.

Was he a rikishi? I think not-this is sumo and we play by different standards. I bet the farm they are gone by the end of the week, providing the additional tests prove positive as well.

No, obviously he was not a rikishi, he was a snowboarder. But there have been general comments above about people charged just for blood tests and here was another foreign athelete questioned by police (but in this case not charged IIRC) so I thought I would offer it as a comparison; as well, this snowboarder claimed it was secondhand smoke which is what is being bandied about for these Russian brothers. I can understand why the kyokai might expel these guys for the test but not why the Japanese police would be more strict with a foreign rikishi than with any other foreign athelete who only had a blood test because of competition rules.

Does Japan allow workplace urine checks for general workers?

Edited by Harry
Kintamayama Dai-yokozuna

Kintamayama

Posted
Posted
No, obviously he was not a rikishi, he was a snowboarder. But there have been general comments above about people charged just for blood tests and here was another foreign athelete questioned by police (but in this case not charged IIRC) so I thought I would offer it as a comparison; as well, this snowboarder claimed it was secondhand smoke which is what is being bandied about for these Russian brothers. I can understand why the kyokai might expel these guys for the test but not why the Japanese police would be more strict with a foreign rikishi than with any other foreign athelete who only had a blood test because of competition rules.

I'm pretty sure the police will let it go, but in this case they won't be able to "keep their medals", is what I meant..

Unless I'm totally wrong and they stay in Sumo, in which case I hereby announce a self-imposed exile of 3 months from this forum.

Pak Jonidan

Pak

Posted
Posted

Kintamayama, no exile, please! You would be missed way too much.

I hope more thorough tests will prove the brothers' claims of innocence. If not, why, why, why take the risk just for a high, especially if the use would likely have been after Wakanoho's arrest. Second-hand smoke... sigh... if I were in their places, if I got a whiff of reefer, I'd run the other way, not wanting to risk my career.

Regards,

Pak

ilovesumo Yokozuna

ilovesumo

Posted
Posted (edited)
No, obviously he was not a rikishi, he was a snowboarder. But there have been general comments above about people charged just for blood tests and here was another foreign athelete questioned by police (but in this case not charged IIRC) so I thought I would offer it as a comparison; as well, this snowboarder claimed it was secondhand smoke which is what is being bandied about for these Russian brothers. I can understand why the kyokai might expel these guys for the test but not why the Japanese police would be more strict with a foreign rikishi than with any other foreign athelete who only had a blood test because of competition rules.

I'm pretty sure the police will let it go, but in this case they won't be able to "keep their medals", is what I meant..

Unless I'm totally wrong and they stay in Sumo, in which case I hereby announce a self-imposed exile of 3 months from this forum.

I'd come with you.

No way they stay after Waka was kicked out. That would stink.

Roho had enough yellow cards already. Dunno about Rozan but he is in the same boat.

Edited by ilovesumo
Asojima Yokozuna

Asojima

Posted
Posted
Looks like I need to change my 21 picks... Some X's may be in order.

If there is a no-show for the basho, it doesn't matter what you picked. All choices would be correct.

Mark Buckton Yokozuna

Mark Buckton

Posted
Posted
I don't think we should spill around names and could have beens...

No name spilling (what does that mean anyway?) but when you get a bod like OY making a full SF career off praising the virtues of Ossetians / their pride / way of life and such - and reinforcing it with each opportunity - does it not make you ponder what he would be thinking now? Where is he BTW?

ilovesumo Yokozuna

ilovesumo

Posted
Posted
I don't think we should spill around names and could have beens...

No name spilling (what does that mean anyway?) but when you get a bod like OY making a full SF career off praising the virtues of Ossetians / their pride / way of life and such - and reinforcing it with each opportunity - does it not make you ponder what he would be thinking now? Where is he BTW?

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=15875

we don't know :-)

Since the war started- or even before- no sight of him.

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