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.