Kayaker Returns Positive Drug Test After Teammate Spikes Water

Japanese kayaker, Yasuhiro Suzuki, has been banned from competition for eight years for drugging a fellow competitor.

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Suzuki spiked Seiji Komatsu drink at last year’s national championships in September. The disgraced kayaker caused his rival to fail a doping test, after lacing his drink with an anabolic steroid, the Japan Anti-Doping Agency said on Tuesday.

“I was fretting," Suzuki was quoted as telling the federation. "I did it as I thought he would overwhelm me. I didn't expect he'd actually test positive.”

Suzuki and Komatsu were teammates at last year's canoe sprint world championships in the Czech Republic.

The Japan Canoe Federation launched an investigation after Komatsu tested positive, but denied taking drugs. Suzuki later admitted to putting a muscle-building supplement, which contained the banned steroid methandienone to his teammate's water.

"It is extremely regrettable," Japan Sports Agency commissioner Daichi Suzuki was quoted as saying by Asahi Shimbun newspaper. "It is the kind of thing that has never been heard of in Japan's sporting history."

"Suzuki's conduct is totally contrary to the spirit of sporting fair play," the doping federation said in a statement.

According to the Japan times, both men were fierce competitors vying for a spot in the 2020 Olympics. Thirty-two-year-old Yasuhiro Suzuki drugged his 25-year-old main rival at last year's national championships in September.

The federation said Suzuki was known for previously attempting to sabotage rivals by stealing equipment at training or in competition.

"An incident of this nature is unheard of in the history of sports in Japan and it is very disappointing," Sports Agency Director Daichi Suzuki said.

A report was filed with the police, who are currently investigating the matter.