Soichi Hashimoto heavily penalised for at least 6 months

Mongolian JudoHeroes

Discipline is a key asset in the Japanese team. Coach Kosei Inoue is strict and doesn’t allow unauthorized behavior. Once again, when it comes to disciplinary matters, the Japanese have confirmed straight rules. This time, Soichi Hashimoto, the U73kg world champion, let an unauthorised friend enter the building of the Japanese Institute of Sports Sciences on 8 February.

Soichi Hashimoto invited a Japanese actress who would have lent his pass to a friend, but was immediately intercepted by the guardian of the building, in which visitors are allowed with strong restrictions.

Three years ago to Naohisa Takato was suspended after some training delays, this time Soichi Hashimoto was heavily penalised by head coach Kosei Inoue: the world champion was excluded from the selection for the Grand Slam in Düsseldorf and ousted from the national team A, being relegated to the team B. Hashimoto, moreover, will no longer be able to access the Institute and the national training center for the next six months, and will lose his athlete's bag for the year 2018. The judoka will eventually have to pay from his own pocket all the stages to which he will take part.

The situation does give space to the return of Masashi Ebinuma, the triple world champion U66kg who switched to U73kg after the Olympic Games in Rio. Shohei Ono is on the list for the Grand Slam in Düsseldorf this weekend. Also World Champion Mashu Baker seems to make his return in the IJF World Tour.