Former Japan Wrestling Federation development director Kazuhito Sakae, who resigned in April for power-harassing four-time Olympic wrestling champion Kaori Icho, issued a public apology on Thursday.

"I would like to express my deepest apologies to Icho and her coach (Chikara) Tanabe," Sakae said.

"I will treat people with respect at all times so I never make the same mistake again," he said as he bowed his head in apology in a news conference.