Yuki Kitai, a 35-year-old former footballer, has reportedly become the first rider from the Japanese keirin circuit’s very highest rank to test positive for doping.

Kitai switched to cycling in May 2021 after a 9-year soccer career spent mostly in the country’s lower J2 and J3 leagues. He moved swiftly up the ranks, and took the biggest win of his career so far in June 2024, winning the G1-level Takamatsunomiya Memorial Cup at Kishiwada.

That G1 success earned him a place at the year-end Keirin Grand Prix – where he was dope-tested, and would be found to have metabolites of the banned anabolic androgenic steroid methandienone. He went on to finish ninth – last – in the big race, the following day.

It is reported to be the first time that a doping violation has been found in the elite SS group of 9 top riders.

In a statement posted on the organisation’s website, the chairman of the JKA, Hiroshi Kido said (via translation): ‘It is truly regrettable that a prohibited substance was detected in a top athlete this time, and we apologise for the inconvenience and concern this has caused to our customers and everyone involved in bicycle racing. In order to live up to everyone’s trust, we will continue to educate our athletes and make industry-wide efforts to prevent recurrence.’

No announcement has yet been made about possible sanctions.