A South Korean judo coach was expelled from his country's sports federation for apparently hitting one of his athletes after she lost a bout, an official said Wednesday.

Suh Joung-bok was expelled by the South Korean Federation after a journalist reported seeing him strike Ye Gue-rin after she lost in the 1051/2-pound (48-kg) tournament Saturday, said Michel Brousse, spokesman for the International Judo Federation.

The South Korean Federation apologized to the IJF, Brousse said.
"We have received a letter of apology and note that he has been expelled by the Korean Federation," he said.

The 22-year-old Ye made the quarterfinals of the tournament and lost. In the repechages, or second chance rounds, she also lost.

Jerry Hays
Santee, CA