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A Ugandan weightlifter who fled pre-Olympics training saying he didn't want to return to his country has been found in central Japan

Kelly McLaughlin   

A Ugandan weightlifter who fled pre-Olympics training saying he didn't want to return to his country has been found in central Japan
  • Ugandan weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko, 20, has been found by Japan officials.
  • He had fled his hotel at a pre-Olympic training Friday, saying he did not want to return to Uganda.
  • He was scheduled to return to Uganda this week after failing to rank high enough to compete at the Olympics.

A Ugandan weightlifter who fled a pre-Olympic training in western Japan last week has been found, police said.

Police in central Japan's Mie prefecture told the Associated Press that Julius Ssekitoleko, 20, was found in Yokkaichi, a little over 100 miles east of where he and his team had been training in Izumisano, in the Osaka prefecture.

When he fled his hotel on Friday, he left behind his luggage in his hotel room, along with a note that said he didn't want to return to Uganda and instead wanted to stay in Japan and work.

Ssekitoleko was scheduled to fly home to Uganda this week after failing to place high enough in international rankings to compete in the Olympic Games.

He's now being interviewed by police, officers told AP.

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