Chinese judoka Tang Jing was disqualified from the quarter-finals of the Asian Games after appearing to bite the arm of Japanese opponent Rin Maeda.
Tang was disqualified for unsportsmanlike behaviour in the women’s -70kg bout in Nagoya, with Maeda progressing and ultimately winning the event.
Having been separated from a hold early in the encounter, Maeda rolled-up her sleeve to show the referee her left forearm, with what appeared to be a bite mark visible just above the wrist.
Officials reviewed video footage before handing three-time Asian Games medallist Tang the disqualification.
“It looked like it was really going to bleed,” said Maeda’s coach Maki Tsukada.
“We didn’t talk about disinfecting it or anything like that, but the bite mark was very clear and distinct.”
Tang, 31, appeared to contest the decision before shaking hands with Maeda and leaving the competition area without offering the media interviews.
Maeda, 21, said she was unsure what would happen after she spoke to the referee.
“It’s not something that happens very often, so it was a first for me,” she told reporters after securing a gold medal with a victory over Kazakhstan’s Azhar Askhat.
“I wasn’t really sure what would happen myself, but I did tell the referee. I was in a little pain, but once I got on the mat, the adrenaline kicked in and I didn’t really notice it, so it was fine.”