AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2004
Jdo: Korean coach suspended for slapping judoka
ATHENS, Aug 17 Reuters - A South Korean judo coach has been suspended from his duties
for hitting a female judoka at the Athens Olympics, team officials said today.
Suh Joung-bok struck Ye Gue-rin around the neck after she lost a bout earlier this
week, earning a prompt suspension when the International Judo Federation (IJF) became
involved.
"The (ITJ) told us to withdraw him and so we have had to withdraw him," a South Korean
official said, adding that Suh would not be sent home immediately.
The IJF ordered an immediate investigation after a Canadian athlete said he saw Suh
hit Ye in a hallway having failed to reach the semi-finals of the women's 48-kg division.
Asian sport traditionally follows a strict code of discipline and many trainers view
hitting as a legitimate coaching method.
South Korea's head judo coach Kim Do-jun said Suh had only "lightly hit" Ye.
However, the IJF took a stronger line, asking the South Koreans for a full explanation
of the incident.
"Obviously, we cannot tolerate such behaviour," IFJ media officer Michel Brousse told
Reuters. "We don't want this kind of thing to happen."
Reuter sp
KEYWORD: OLY JDO COACH
2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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