Former Gym Boss Jailed After Wrestler`s Death

Court found that Junichi Yamamoto, 59, ordered wrestlers at his sumo stable to beat Takashi Saito, who later died from his injuries.

A former sumo gym boss was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday following the death of a 17-year-old trainee wrestler in 2007.

Nagoya's District Court found that Junichi Yamamoto, 59, ordered wrestlers at his sumo stable to beat Takashi Saito, who later died from his injuries.

Judge Masaharu Ashizawa said the physical abuse suffered by Saito, "grossly disrespected the victim's human dignity," Japanese media reported.

Three wrestlers were given suspended jail sentences last December after being found guilty of beating Saito with a metal bat, a beer bottle and a wooden stick.

"Masashi Yamamoto has already been dismissed as a stable master so the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) cannot comment on the sentence," JSA Chairman Musashigawa said in a statement.

"We have instructed all association members to ensure this kind of unfortunate incident never happens again."

The trainee's death triggered a media frenzy and sent shockwaves through Japan's closeted ancient sport, which dates back 2,000 years and retains many Shinto religious overtones.

The Japanese government also waded into the controversy, ordering sumo to clean up its act following several high-profile scandals in recent years.

Saito's death came after Mongolian "yokozuna" Asashoryu was banned after being caught on television playing soccer while supposedly injured, sparking outrage among the sumo establishment.

A number of wrestlers, both foreign and Japanese, have also been kicked out of the sport after being caught in possession of marijuana in recent years.

In an attempt to repair its tarnished image, sumo officials produced an etiquette handbook for the wrestlers.