Greco-Roman wrestler Katsuya Kitamura has been banned for two years by the Japan Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for anabolic steroids, the Japan Wrestling Federation announced Monday.
The 25-year-old Kitamura is a three-time national champion in the 96-kg category. The suspension will rule him out for next year's London Olympics.
The first Japanese wrestler to be punished for a doping infraction, Kitamura is not expected to appeal. He has told JADA that he took the substance inadvertently through supplements purchased overseas.
"We never thought our wrestlers were buying supplements from overseas," said Yuji Takada, general secretary of the JWF. "He was ignorant.
"We've become trouble for the sports community with the London Olympics right around the corner. We will work to make sure it doesn't happen again."