The Tokyo High Court dismissed an appeal by former professional wrestler Akira Maeda on Wednesday and ordered him to pay damages for assaulting the owner of a rival combat-sport promotion company.
According to the court, Maeda, 43, hit Masami Ozaki, who promotes a combat sport called Pancrase, at a Tokyo hotel in May 2000. Ozaki sustained injuries to his nose.
Presiding Judge Hiromu Emi upheld the Tokyo District Court ruling holding Maeda responsible and awarding the plaintiff about 1.55 million yen.
Ozaki, 43, had sought about 5.05 million yen in damages.
Maeda, who runs a wrestling company called Rings, was also charged with assault and faces a criminal trial.