Mongolian Champion Retires

One of the Sumo Champions, Yokozuna Harumafuji, submitted a letter for his retirement to Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday. He told that he would take responsibility for injuring younger Sumo wrestler, Takanoiwa, during a party in Tottori in October. He will not be able to remain in Sumo community, because he does not have citizenship of the Japanese.

It had been reported that Harumafuji hit Takanoiwa with karaoke remote controller in a bar room, getting mad at his way to talk to his superiors in the Mongolian Sumo wrestler community. Harumafuji was absent in Kyushu tournament in November, as soon as his violence on Takanoiwa was revealed. The incident was reported to the police by Takanoiwa’s master, former Yokozuna Takanohana. Harumafuji was interviewed by police.

Harumafuji admitted in his press conference after the retirement that he caused Takanoiwa’s injury. “I retired as a Sumo wrestler today, recognizing responsibility as Yokozuna for injuring,” told Harumafuji, “I sincerely apologize to Japanese people and Sumo fans of my bothering.” He explained that he thought it would be a duty for a superior to correct inappropriate behavior lacking propriety. But, he did not make clear exactly what had happened in the bar and refused to apologize to Takanoiwa.

Although Harumafuji’s retirement was inevitable as long as he would be indicted, the truth has not been revealed. JSA had a council meeting to discuss the issue on Thursday. The intermediate report of JSA found that Yokozuna Hakuho, who obtained 40^th championship in Kyushu tournament, was involved in the injury.

In the first party in Tottori, Hakuho accused rude behavior of Takanoiwa at a bar in Tokyo the previous month. Harumafuji tried to protect Takanoiwa and persuaded Hakuho not to be so harsh. But, Hakuho did not stop scolding Takanoiwa even in the second party. Takanoiwa was looking at his smart phone during Hakuho was talking. When he witnessed Takanoiwa staring at Hakuho after being hit, Harumafuji hit Takanoiwa with the remote controller for several times.

This could be taken as one of the usual minor fights between wrestlers. But, Master Takanohana refused the issue to be dealt as a trivial injury inside JSA. “It was not an injury made in the trainings. Who was an offender and who was a sufferer? Justice is needed,” told Takanohana to his supporters. Harumafuji, Hakuho and Takanoiwa are all Mongolian wrestlers. Some Sumo fans criticize their behavior that looks strange in light of tradition of Sumo. Mongolian wrestlers including Hakuho are always exposed to criticisms with curiosity.