Japanese Sumo Grand Champion Asashoryu to Retire
- Thursday, February 4, 2010, 4:11
- World News
- 138 views
- 1 comment
Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) — Asashoryu, a Mongolian who rose to the top of Japan’s national sport of sumo, said he will retire after allegations he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo night club last month.
“I am taking responsibility for having caused so much trouble,” Asashoryu, 29, said today in a televised press conference on Fuji Television. “I am proud of being a Yokozuna,” sumo’s highest rank. He declined to comment about the allegations or his plans.
Asashoryu, whose real name is Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, made his debut in 1999 and rose quickly, becoming only the third foreigner to become a Yokozuna. His victory in last month’s tournament was his 25th championship, the third-most in history.
“For a Yokozuna to retire in this kind of situation is extremely regrettable,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano told reporters today in Tokyo.
His behavior out of the ring, including scuffles and criticism of other wrestlers, drew reproaches from his coaches and the press. He was suspended for two tournaments in 2007 after skipping an exhibition due to injury and later filmed playing soccer in Mangolia.
The origins of sumo date back at least to the 7th century, and one legend has it that a sumo match between two gods determined who would rule Japan. There are six 15-day tournaments a year, and the sport is governed by the Japan Sumo Association, comprised of former wrestlers.
[Bloomberg]
This is a tragedy. One of the greatest yokozunas of all time has been harangued by the sumo association for events that couldn’t even come close to one of their own killing a young man a few years ago. No mention of his charity work, his kindness to his fans and to the general public. A xenophobic act designed to prohibit a foreigner (now third) from becoming the greatest yokozuna of all time. A real tragedy.