Japanese sports news outlets report that Nakagawa oyakata is facing either a “recommendation to retire” or a dismissal, following a case of verbal abuse.
The compliance committee has already investigated the case, and the decision on the punishment is expected to be made as part of the board meeting planned for July 13th.
However, the heya’s wrestlers have already been seen preparing for a move.
It also appears that the rikishi will not be moved as one unit to another heya, but rather distributed among several heya. Furthermore, it appears some of them will choose retirement.
At the moment, not many details are known about the incident. It appears the oyakata made remarks toward a deshi which can be construed as “power harassment” as the Japanese define it. Another rikishi has recorded the incident and passed the recorded material to the NSK.
Ishiura was involved in a fist fight with Makushita-ranked Hokaho. No, not Hakuho, though the big man himself stepped in to separate the two. Practice then ended abruptly and the incident was reported to the Crisis Committee. So, the scandal meter is reset to 1/4/2020, one week from the start of Hatsubasho.
Nikkan got an actual photo of Hakuho separating the guys. They note that the NSK is on holidays until the 6th, so although Miyagino phoned both Takashima oyakata and Kagamiyama oyakata (Crisis Mgmt. Committee), there will be no follow-up for now. (1/2)https://t.co/Mzyj667D5p
Herouth’s got a thorough run-down of the events but in a nutshell, Ishiura took exception to Hokaho beating him. When he would lose to Hokaho, he’d lash out, with a kick or a punch. Since the incident has been reported, there will be an investigation into exactly how “hot-headed” Ishiura was and whether there is any need for punishment. That punishment could range from apologies and reprimand to potential suspension, likely hinging on how hard the blows were. Calls for retirement would be…a bit bizarre unless more back-story unfolds.
No, no. Damn it.
A practice session between Ishiura and Hokaho (Ms16W) at Miyagino beya turned into a fist fight. Hakuho intervened to stop it. Miyagino oyakata reported the incident to the Isegahama ichimon's board member, Takashima oyakata. (1/4)https://t.co/vFkhhwc5Ph
Keep in mind, this was practice where blows are supposed to be thrown…but not between bouts and fists and kicks are obviously a no-no. The location and reason would distinguish it from punches thrown as rebuke for chores done poorly but it will be interesting to see what standard is applied. Some, like Mitakeumi, are disparaged for low-intensity practice. The opposite end of the spectrum here, we have a practice that got out-of-hand.
For some insight about the practice intensity I’m talking about, there’s an interview of Steve Kerr a former teammate of Michael Jordan, where he reflects on a fist fight he had with Mike. Jordan is famous for a lot of things but one is the intensity that he brought to practice. Similarly, keiko is supposed to ready you for the real thing. So if you slack off there, how will you be ready when the harite is for a yusho?
Early this week, a video was posted to Abi’s Instagram feed showing Wakamotoharu bound by his wrists and legs, and gagged. The video was less than a minute long and showed Wakamotoharu escaping from the bonds to the sounds of off-camera laughter. Your humble editor saw the video half-asleep, thought, “Kids these days”, rolled over and went back to bed.
Followers of the Tachiai Twitter account and Herouth’s account likely saw a brief exchange about how the drama was playing out on Social Media. Some were even calling for intai as this would be a bullying scandal. I would presume bullying would require a victim…in which case it seems Wakamotoharu was a willing Houdini-like participant.
There has now been reprimands and apologies, so it went past embarrassing prank-dom and into micro-scandal. Let’s hope there are no more, but, alas, the calendar has been changed to reflect the date of the latest “scandal.”
The Abi/Wakamotoharu "bondage" video ended up with the two being disciplined by the NSK, having to present letters of apology. Arashio oyakata also apologized (no mention of Shikoroyama oyakata).
As Herouth reported yesterday, despite the Compliance Committee’s recommendation of a two tournament ban, Takuro insisted on resigning. He was the Tate-Yobidashi, or the highest ranking of the dohyo support crew. Thus ends the career of likely the most recognizable face among the sport’s yobidashi. The Sumo Kyokai website has removed his name and now Jiro (次郎) stands as the top one, rather than the next one. Click the link for the full list.
Takuro was accused and admitted to striking two subordinates. He struck the first for eating breakfast in the section of seating reserved for patrons, and then snapped at the other for not reprimanding the first. Herouth has a full write-up here.
Tate-yobidashi Takuro's resignation has been accepted. The compliance committee recommended suspension for two basho, but Takuro insisted on resigning.https://t.co/o9VqvHve15
