Grand champion Harumafuji has told Japan's sumo association he intends to retire, an association spokesman said on Wednesday, after his assault of a junior wrestler tainted the image of the national sport just as it was regaining popularity.
The 33-year-old Mongolian-born "yokozuna" (grand champion) apologized earlier this month after media reported he had beaten junior wrestler Takanoiwa while drinking at a restaurant-bar with other wrestlers.
The incident has highlighted the ancient sport's struggle to reform harsh conditions that can breed violence in its closed, hierarchical world, although some wrestlers say there have been improvements in the decade since a trainee was beaten to death by other wrestlers.
"Sumo, recognizing its responsibility as the sport with the longest history in Japan, must stamp out violence so that the expectations of the people, including youth, are not again betrayed," Education Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, whose ministry oversees sports, said in a parliamentary committee meeting.
The head of an advisory body to the JSA, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, had said this week the affair warranted "extremely harsh punishment" but did not issue a final decision because both the JSA and police were still investigating.
No comments:
Post a Comment