The 15 elite female judoka who allege they were abused during Olympic training by former head coach Ryuji Sonoda want the All Japan Judo Federation to overhaul its entire staff, not just one coach, their lawyer said Monday.
Noting that his clients were "deeply scarred both mentally and physically by the violence and harassment inflicted by coach Sonoda," attorney Nobuyoshi Tsujiguchi warned that his clients, some of whom took part in the London Olympics, are insisting on "a fundamental change" in the coaching staff as initially requested in a petition handed to the Japanese Olympic Committee on Dec. 25.
"The reason (for the complaint) is because they felt anger and despair toward the national team they dreamed to be a part of," Tsujiguchi said, adding that his clients are not pursuing legal action at this time.