2nd marijuana tests show positive for 2 Russian sumo wrestlers

Saturday 06th September, 11:56 AM JST

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Everton2 at 12:06 AM JST - 8th September

Marijuana is not a performance enhancing drug. In fact, studies show that it diminishes performance. The idea that the Japanese wants to keep foreigners out of the sport is preposterous. If competitors are found to be under the influence of any drug then they simply should be banned.
Blue_Tiger at 12:49 AM JST - 8th September

Good to hear that Kitanoumi is giving the Russians here a fair shot at cleaner and clearer testing.
1001tlc at 04:45 AM JST - 8th September

Has anybody of you tried the orthodox home grown weed produces somewhere in Japan? It's lovely , familiar old smell, gives you giggling effect as well, just like the old days, will not turned you psychotic and chaotic... but again...politics, hypocrisy and conspiracy in a world of sumo prevails, in a world called Japan, Where and when something could be legal and illegal, it's up to us to draw the line.

I saw the two guys acussed on TV, they don't look like a psychos. Those interviewers look more psychos than them. And they just found two sticks of joint? What's the big deal BIG DADDIES? I bet these bureaucRATS smoked joints as well, for the experience. I wish I could ask these bureaucRATS on what do they do with all those worth a million yen confiscated marijuana at the airport or somewhere else. Do they disposed them off or sold to hospitals or sell again to some influential gangs? They are not so stupid as to disposed it off? MOTTAINAI!

Whether these two Russian sumos are guilty or not, wish them goodluck.
1001tlc at 04:49 AM JST - 8th September

It should be where, when, why and what could be legal and illegal.
some14some at 06:57 AM JST - 8th September

even 3rd test would show 'positive' result, the question is what positive action(s) they would take against head of Sumo-kyokai other than percentage pay cut?
mikihouse at 09:51 AM JST - 8th September

paycut and probably one tournament suspension at least, the thing is when Asa was found to have played soccer when he was supposedly sick, the head of the basho where the 2 russian belongs was so aggressive in trying to punish Asa or even have him be banned from the sports...
Nessie at 09:58 AM JST - 8th September

Has anybody of you tried the orthodox home grown weed produces somewhere in Japan? It's lovely , familiar old smell, gives you giggling effect as well, just like the old days, will not turned you psychotic and chaotic...

This whole "psychotic weed" thing is just Reefer Madness revisited. There is no psycho weed. If you have a predisposition toward mental illness, smoking weed is not good for you. Don't do it. For people other than those, there are few ill effects. And the superweed hype is hype.

http://rustyidols.blogspot.com/2007/06/margaret-wente-dusts-off-stale-old.html
nisegaijin at 11:22 AM JST - 8th September

sumo is more than a sport, it is actually a ritual considered to be sacred and pure because it is played for the Japanese diety. While it may seem to be trivial for us foreigners, the locals believed that the sanctity of the "sumo" is being trampled upon by foreigners who disregards the purity of the game by using illegal drugs (yes, cannabis is considered to be illegal). Foreigners are expected to be more observant and be more sensitive to the tradition of sumo being allowed to play in this particular game. We might all sneer, and mock the system but try doing this mockery to other "religious and sacred" rituals then you can understand the sentiments of Japanese people. I doubt if the Russian brothers will be dismissed just because of this act though but they must be ready for the consequences like paycut and suspension if proven to be guilty. Its not xenophobia, its righteous indignation.

The moment, money and betting got involved, it stopped being a ritual and became a pure profit generating sport (I am not even gonna go in match fixing). This is 21st century, and while I strongly disagree with Japan's laws on cannabis, Sumo association should be more transparent about their codes of conduct. If there are rules about substance use, then these wrestlers should be prosecuted, if there isn't they should be left alone. Whatever it is, rules should not be set on the fly, especially if they target somebody of different race.
buttan at 04:21 PM JST - 8th September

"nisegaijin" This is 21st century, and while I strongly disagree with Japan's laws on cannabis, Sumo association should be more transparent about their codes of conduct. If there are rules about substance use, then these wrestlers should be prosecuted, if there isn't they should be left alone. Whatever it is, rules should not be set on the fly, especially if they target somebody of different race.

Fully agreed!!!
seggahme at 07:56 PM JST - 8th September

they aren't russians, they are from Caucasus. georgians?
TokyoXtreme at 01:43 AM JST - 10th September

Marijuana, like sumo, has historical ties to Shinto in Japan that go back many hundreds of years... unlike the anti-marijuana law, which only dates back to something like 1945, and was an American idea. I wonder if the right-wingers in the black vans would be for legalizing marijuana, considering how it's a part of authentic Japanese tradition, and is only illegal because of the barbarian invaders.
Blue_Tiger at 07:05 AM JST - 10th September

Hmmmmm.....

This story makes me wonder aloud if Japanese rikishi who happen to get caught doing something criminally shady will have their names, profiles and lives splashed all over the J-Media?

Too bad for these two Russians, especially Roho: he was a decent rikishi...
TheNewZen at 09:15 AM JST - 10th September

Blue Tiger.

The 69 wrestlers that were tested all belonged to and were the whole top-tier of sumo. So I would guess that it would be the same treatment for all.
Blue_Tiger at 10:46 AM JST - 10th September

That's what we're bieng told, TheNewZen. Doesn't mean that there weren't others who tested positive, but only that two who happened to be foreign.
Dragone at 07:22 PM JST - 16th September

Really wish to see a sumo sparring when i'll have a tourist trip to Japan. p.s. thouse names of "Russian" r really weird to be real russian names. Just by the name its hard to beleave that they are Russians.