The Japan Sumo Association said Aug. 21 it will expel top-division wrestler Wakanoho, a Russian who was arrested Aug. 18 on suspicion of possessing marijuana, making him the first active wrestler to be fired in the sport's history.

At an emergency executive board meeting, the JSA also accepted the resignation of the wrestler's stablemaster, Magaki, who was an executive member of the JSA board. He was punished with a pay cut in May for beating and injuring one of his jonokuchi junior-division wrestlers.

After the meeting, JSA Chairman Kitanoumi told reporters the association made the decision because Wakanoho has admitted the misdeed.

Stablemaster Magaki said the decision was right and apologized for Wakanoho's arrest.

Wakanoho, a 20-year-old Russian whose real name is Gagloev Soslan Aleksandrovich, wrestled in the makuuchi top division.