Japan fencing association bars coach for slapping player

Tokyo - Japan's fencing association said on Thursday it had suspended a Ukrainian coach for one month after he slapped a player, vowing zero tolerance of violence.

Alexander Gorbachuk, a former European team champion with Ukraine, "slapped the side of a fencer's head" after he lost an individual epee match, a federation official told AFP.

The 46-year-old was also barred from accompanying players on domestic and international competitions for six months, meaning he will miss the world championships this summer.

The coach took exception to a fencer who failed to contest the result of a match even after he realised the tip of his epee had broken, according to the federation official, who declined to be named.

"The coach thought the player wasn't eager enough to win," he said. 

"He is a passionate, capable coach... but we can never tolerate violence," the official said, adding Gorbachuk had voiced regret over the March 22 incident.

The Japanese men won the country's first-ever team epee World Cup at the event in Brazil but the violence happened at an individual match there.