News On Japan

Tokyo Olympic Karate Medalist Jailed for Assaulting Unconscious Woman

OSAKA, Sep 01 (News On Japan) - The Osaka District Court on September 1st sentenced Kenshi Nishimura, a 29-year-old karateka who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman who was unable to resist due to intoxication.

Nishimura, a former member of Japan’s national karate team, was charged over a 2022 incident in which he assaulted a female acquaintance who was severely intoxicated and unable to defend herself. Prosecutors also accused him of causing her injury. Nishimura denied the charges, claiming the woman was not in a state where she could not resist.

However, the court ruled that the victim "was so affected by alcohol that she could not even sit up, and was in no condition to resist." The judge added, "The act ignored the victim’s dignity and was solely to satisfy sexual desire. The severity of the illegality and responsibility cannot be underestimated."

Nishimura’s legal team plans to appeal the ruling.

He had competed in the karate “kumite” category at the Tokyo Olympics and finished in the top rankings.

Source: YOMIURI

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