A Japanese court has convicted three sumo wrestlers for
killing a younger stable-mate during training last year in a
case that damaged the image of the country's ancient national
sport.
Junior wrestler Tokitaizan, 17, real name Takashi Saito, died
in June, 2007 after collapsing following practice. An autopsy
showed bruises and injuries on his body that indicated
assaults rather than ordinary sumo training.
The Nagoya District Court sentenced two wrestlers, Yuichiro
Izuka, 25 and Masakazu Kimura, 26, to three years in prison,
and a third, Masanori Fujii, 23, to two and half years in
prison, all suspended for five years, court spokesman
Shunichi Ito said.
They won't be jailed unless they commit another crime while
on probation.
The three wrestlers beat Saito on the head with bear bottles
and repeatedly slapped him on the face the night before his
death.
During training the next day, they repeatedly threw him to
the ground, hit him with a baseball bat, and showered him
with water from a hose, causing his death as a result, the
court said.
Trainer Junichi Yamamoto, 58, also charged with assault
resulting in death, is set to stand a separate trial at a
date yet to be set, Ito said. Yamamoto, who was later fired
by the Japan Sumo Association, has denied any part in Saito's
death.
Judge Masaharu Ashizawa acknowledged on Thursday that the
three convicted wrestlers had to unconditionally obey
instructions from their trainer, who had absolute power over
his men, public broadcaster NHK said. The judge also noted
that violent punishment was considered standard practice at
sumo stables.
"I take the ruling very seriously," new trainer Tokitsukaze
told a televised interview. "I'm committed to properly
oversee the stable so we'll never repeat the mistake."
The world of sumo has been rocked by a spate of scandals
recently, including the expulsion of several Russian
wrestlers over marijuana use and allegations of match fixing.
In the rigid, traditional world of sumo, a stable takes care
of training and welfare for young recruits - only a fraction
of who become professional fighters, while many drop out due
to the rigorous training and harsh living conditions.
Saito's father said his son had fled the stable twice,
including the day before his death, but returned each time.
At the time of his death, Saito was training for a tournament
in Nagoya in central Japan.
