The Japan Sumo Association on Feb. 2 fired second-division wrestler Wakakirin following his arrest for possession of marijuana Jan 30.

The JSA executive committee took swift action to impose one of its heaviest punishments on a wrestler three days after police apprehended Wakakirin, 25, whose real name is Shinichi Suzukawa, in Tokyo along with 30-year-old musician Tsutomu Hirano.

The committee, however, stopped short of expelling Wakakirin.

Wakakirin is the first Japanese wrestler to be arrested in a marijuana case and the latest grappler to be thrown out of the sumo world, after three Russians were dismissed over drug charges during the last six months.

On Jan. 31, Wakakirin submitted a written retirement offer to the JSA through his lawyer and stablemaster Oguruma. JSA Chairman Musashigawa left his fate in the hands of the executive panel.