A fired sumo elder denied Thursday that he ordered wrestlers in his stable to harass and assault a teenage grappler who later died from the ensuing injuries.
On the opening day of his trial at the Nagoya District Court, Junichi Yamamoto denied his involvement in a conspiracy related to the 2007 death of Takashi Saito, 17.
Three wrestlers have already been convicted in the same court for their role in the high-profile case, which marred the sport. Their sentences were suspended.