The highly ceremonial and ordered world of sumo was rocked yesterday as allegations emerged that one of the sport’s grand champions smashed a beer bottle over a fellow wrestler’s head.
Mongolian yokozuna, or grand champion, Harumafuji issued an apology before the Japanese media, as officials said they were probing the incident that has led to his absence from an ongoing tournament.
Harumafuji, 33, hit compatriot Takanoiwa, 27, last month when Mongolian wrestlers gathered over drinks after the autumn tournament, several media reported.
“I deeply apologize over Takanoiwa’s injury,” Harumafuji — one of three reigning Mongolian yokozuna — told reporters at his training site in the western Japanese city of Dazaifu.
However, he deflected further questions to the “stable master” who runs the camp.
The ancient sport has an extremely strict protocol, and yokozuna are expected to be beyond moral reproach in addition to showing superior strength and technique in the ring. Wrestlers are not even allowed to express emotions when they win, as this is seen as inconsiderate to the loser.
Japan Sumo Association legal affairs head Tomokatsu Taniguchi told reporters that Takanoiwa’s stable master had submitted a doctor’s certificate regarding a head injury that would require two weeks to heal.
A link between the injury and the allegation is not confirmed, as officials are still investigating the matter, Taniguchi added.
Harumafuji is viewed as having a skillful technique that allows him to offset a relatively small body weight — at a mere 137kg, he is one of the lightest in the sport’s top division.
He emerged victorious at the most recent tournament in September in Tokyo, edging out Japan’s Goeido in a thrilling last-day bout.
“Harumafuji will be absent from the third day” of an ongoing tournament in Fukuoka, the association said on Twitter, without giving a reason.
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