Yasuhiro Yamashita likely new JOC head

JudoInside reported previously the candidacy of Olympic gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita as new Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President. Yamashita has emerged as a prime candidate to replace Tsunekazu Takeda, who will step down over alleged corruption involving Tokyo's successful bid for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, those close to the JOC said.

Yamashita, 61, who won a gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, currently serves as chairman of the JOC Sports Committee. He has been hailed for reforming the judo community following revelations in 2013 that top judoka participating in international events had been assaulted by their coaches.

Takeda, 71, will announce his intention to resign at a board meeting of the JOC in Tokyo on March 19, but is expected to stay on until his term expires in June. Moreover, he intends to quit as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), those linked to the JOC said.

The Olympic Charter requires members of the IOC to also be board members of the Olympic committees in their home countries. Therefore, even after stepping down as JOC president, Takeda had been expected to remain as a JOC board member if he stayed on as an IOC member.

Although he will reassert his innocence, Takeda has apparently made up his mind to leave the posts after considering the scandal's impact on the Tokyo Games.

Yamashita is besides Judo Federation President also Development Director of the IJF.