Beyond Yokozuna Hakuho, Deeper Problems Beset Sumo Association
Hakuho remains a respected yokozuna, a grand champion of sumo, and is considered one of the sport's all-time greats.
However, Hakuho also bears considerable responsibility for disrespecting the traditions of Japan's national sport. It is unfortunate but unavoidable that he must exit the sumo world.
The Mongolia-born Hakuho won 45 top-level tournaments during his illustrious career. Then, after retiring, he became the master of the Miyagino sumo stable. Now he has been forced to retire from the Japan Sumo Association.
The Miyagino stable was ordered closed due to the abuse of young wrestlers in the beya (stable) by one of Hakuho's subordinates. The suspect himself is also a top-level ( makuuchi ) wrestler. Prospects for its revival now appear unlikely. That was just one of the reasons for Hakuho's resignation.
At a June 9 press conference, Hakuho announced that he aims to establish a new international sumo organization. He plans to work to popularize and develop the sport worldwide. Stablemaster Miyagino (left) and sumo wrestler Hokuseiho bow in apology before reporters at Miyagino stable in Tokyo on February 23, 2024. (©Kyodo)
Some people argue the decision to close Hakuho's beya was too harsh. They compare his punishment to that meted out to others in the past who have had scandals involving bullying or other forms of violence. However, the fact is that when Hakuho was formally named a toshiyori , or "elder," he signed a pledge to abide strictly by its rules.
During his active career, Hakuho was notorious for his sometimes flagrant misconduct. He showed disregard for the traditions of the national sport and the rank of yokozuna. For example, he sometimes unilaterally skipped steps expected of a yokozuna when entering the dohyo. Other times, he employed dangerous elbow strikes during his bouts.
It seems fair to say that how he mismanaged his subordinate's violence justified the association's concerns. Hakuho should take this opportunity to reflect on whether he ever had what it takes to successfully run a sumo beya .
The Japa Sumo Association's poor governance has also been shocking. In October 2018, it announced a zero tolerance policy for violence and proposed training for stablemasters and wrestlers. However, even after that, violent incidents related to sumo stables continued to occur.
Asashoryu (2010) and Harumafuji (2017), both yokozuna, retired due to their own violent behavior. And stablemaster Takanohana (former yokozuna Takanohana) resigned in 2018 after clashing with the association over how it handled the violence his disciple Takanoiwa suffered at the hands of Harumafuji.
Since the Heisei era, 11 wrestlers have become yokozuna (excluding currently active wrestlers). However, six (including Hakuho) have already left the world of sumo. This is abnormal, to say the least. (From left) Retired yokozuna Hakuho and Masahiro Morii at a press conference about the World Sumo Grand Slam they are planning and Toyota's sponsorship of the project. In Tokyo on June 9. (©Sankei by Kanata Iwasaki)
No one can deny Hakuho's accomplishments. At a time when faith in the national sport had hit rock bottom due to professional baseball gambling and match-fixing scandals, he restored the popularity of sumo through his efforts both inside and outside the ring. And how can we ever forget how he stood at the forefront of efforts to support areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake?
The association proved unable to develop such a great person into a leader in the sumo world. And in the wake of the recent scandal, it left him in a state of limbo without indicating if or when he would be able to reopen the stable. Isn't how the association operates also one of the root causes of the problem?
The number of Japanese rikishi (sumo wrestlers) continues to fall due to the country's declining births. In addition, younger people are turned off by the old-fashioned, violent culture that continues within the sport.
It is wrong for the Japan Sumo Association to try to pin all the blame on Hakuho's character. Nor can it summarily close the curtain on the issue because he has departed.
(Read the editorial in Japanese .)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Eugenio Suárez's 3rd grand slam of the season lifts D-backs over Mariners 5-2 for 3-game sweep
PHOENIX (AP) — Eugenio Suárez hit a go-ahead grand slam, Eduardo Rodriguez pitched into the seventh inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks swept a three-game series from the Seattle Mariners with a 5-2 win on Wednesday. Arizona trailed 2-0 after five innings but scored five runs in the sixth for a second straight game to take control. Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte led off the sixth with back-to-back singles, Josh Naylor walked with one out and then Suárez launched a slider 410 feet off Bryan Woo (5-4) into the left-center seats to give the D-backs a 4-2 lead. It was Suárez's third grand slam of the season. Pavin Smith added a solo homer later in the inning for a 5-2 advantage. Rodriguez (2-3) matched his second-longest outing of the season, giving up two runs over 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander came into the game with a 6.70 ERA, but navigated the Mariners' lineup without much trouble, surrendering six hits and a walk while striking out five. Woo gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three. Seattle's Julio Rodríguez had three hits and Donovan Solano hit a solo homer. Arizona improved to 34-34 for the season and will try to go over .500 for the first time since May 23 when they host the Padres on Friday. The Mariners dropped to 33-34. Key moment The Mariners put two runners on in the seventh, but D-backs reliever Juan Morillo coaxed a double play ball from Miles Mastrobuoni to end the threat. Key stat Suárez has 295 career homers, pushing him to third among Venezuelan-born players in big league history, passing Magglio Ordóñez's mark of 294. Miguel Cabrera had 511 homers and Andrés Galarraga had 399. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Up next The Mariners host the Guardians and RHP Gavin Williams (5-3, 3.86 ERA) on Friday night. RHP Ryne Nelson (2-2, 4.60 ERA) throws for the Diamondbacks, who host the Padres on Friday night. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian bantamweight boxer Amanda Galle signs with MVP, looks to add titles
TORONTO – Canadian boxer Amanda (Bambola) Galle already holds the IBO bantamweight title. Now the 36-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., wants to add to her collection. Galle (11-0-1) will get a bigger platform to do so, having signed with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian. 'I know it's going to put me on big cards with tremendous viewership … Just a bigger stage, a bigger audience,' Galle said of what she expects from the new partnership. 'Family members having the ability to tune in from their couch and watch me on TV.' After signing with MVP, Canadian lightweight (Prince) Lucas Bahdi found himself on the undercard of Paul's November 2024 bout with Mike Tyson before a crowd of 72,300 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Bahdi won a majority decision over Italian Armando (La Furia del Quadraro) Casamonica. Shown on Netflix, the main event maxed out at 65 million concurrent streams. In addition to fighting before a bigger audience, Galle is looking to 'take my career to the next level and go collect all the goods that I'm working so hard for.' That would be the big four WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles. 'I want all the (championship) belts,' said Galle. The undisputed bantamweight (118-pound) title is on the line July 11 on MVP's all-women boxing card at Madison Square Garden, headlined by the trilogy fight between Ireland's Katie Taylor and Puerto Rico's Amanda Serrano for the undisputed super-lightweight title. The card sees American Shurretta Metcalf take on New Zealand-born Australian Cherneka Johnson with the bantamweight titles on the line. Galle won the vacant IBO title by in December 2023 defeating Venezuela's Niorkis Carreno and won a rematch last time out in December. She has won five straight since a draw with Mexico's Jaqueline Mucio Munoz in July 2022 and says she is ready to go again. 'I've been in the gym the last six months … feeling very strong, healthy and in shape,' she said. So ready that she told MVP that she is ready to step in, if needed, on the July 11 card. Denmark's Dina Thorslund was originally slated to face Metcalf in New York but has stepped away from fighting to have a baby. The MSG show also features Canadian Tamm Thibeault, a former Olympian and world amateur middleweight champion from Shawinigan, Que., who takes on American Mary Casamassa. Montreal's Jessica Camara takes on England's Chantelle Cameron on the card for the WBC interim super-lightweight title. Galle was handled previously by DiBella Entertainment and Toronto-based Lee Baxter Promotions. 'I have to give them gratitude that they did keep me busy' Galle said. 'And Lee Baxter brought the IBO world championship belt to my backyard in Toronto, so I was able to fight for it in front of all my fans … I displayed an Italian buffet of punches.' She said that win made her realize 'I could be the best. I can beat the best.' That's because Carreno fought Thorslund in April 2022, losing a unanimous decision for the WBO bantamweight title. 'And she gave (Thorslund) a hell of a more difficult time than she gave me,' added Galle. Galle started in combat sports at age six, earning her black belt in karate after being inspired by TV's 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.' Switching to boxing, she had her first fight at 16 and went on to win three national titles (on 2009, 2013 and 2018). Galle turned pro in 2019. Her nickname Bambola is Italian for doll. 'Fourteen years as an amateur (boxer), six years as a pro, I'm doing 20 years of boxing and I still classify my face as being a beautiful doll. So I'm fulfilling that name all right,' she said with a chuckle. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in early childhood education, Galle has always trained at All Canadian Martial Arts Academy in Mississauga. Today she teaches boxing at the gym's academy. She is also an ambassador for Fight To End Cancer in honour of her mother, who died in 2022 — nine years after being diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Galle won the Canadian super-bantamweight title two weeks before her mother died. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025
Japan Forward
2 days ago
- Japan Forward
Beyond Yokozuna Hakuho, Deeper Problems Beset Sumo Association
Hakuho remains a respected yokozuna, a grand champion of sumo, and is considered one of the sport's all-time greats. However, Hakuho also bears considerable responsibility for disrespecting the traditions of Japan's national sport. It is unfortunate but unavoidable that he must exit the sumo world. The Mongolia-born Hakuho won 45 top-level tournaments during his illustrious career. Then, after retiring, he became the master of the Miyagino sumo stable. Now he has been forced to retire from the Japan Sumo Association. The Miyagino stable was ordered closed due to the abuse of young wrestlers in the beya (stable) by one of Hakuho's subordinates. The suspect himself is also a top-level ( makuuchi ) wrestler. Prospects for its revival now appear unlikely. That was just one of the reasons for Hakuho's resignation. At a June 9 press conference, Hakuho announced that he aims to establish a new international sumo organization. He plans to work to popularize and develop the sport worldwide. Stablemaster Miyagino (left) and sumo wrestler Hokuseiho bow in apology before reporters at Miyagino stable in Tokyo on February 23, 2024. (©Kyodo) Some people argue the decision to close Hakuho's beya was too harsh. They compare his punishment to that meted out to others in the past who have had scandals involving bullying or other forms of violence. However, the fact is that when Hakuho was formally named a toshiyori , or "elder," he signed a pledge to abide strictly by its rules. During his active career, Hakuho was notorious for his sometimes flagrant misconduct. He showed disregard for the traditions of the national sport and the rank of yokozuna. For example, he sometimes unilaterally skipped steps expected of a yokozuna when entering the dohyo. Other times, he employed dangerous elbow strikes during his bouts. It seems fair to say that how he mismanaged his subordinate's violence justified the association's concerns. Hakuho should take this opportunity to reflect on whether he ever had what it takes to successfully run a sumo beya . The Japa Sumo Association's poor governance has also been shocking. In October 2018, it announced a zero tolerance policy for violence and proposed training for stablemasters and wrestlers. However, even after that, violent incidents related to sumo stables continued to occur. Asashoryu (2010) and Harumafuji (2017), both yokozuna, retired due to their own violent behavior. And stablemaster Takanohana (former yokozuna Takanohana) resigned in 2018 after clashing with the association over how it handled the violence his disciple Takanoiwa suffered at the hands of Harumafuji. Since the Heisei era, 11 wrestlers have become yokozuna (excluding currently active wrestlers). However, six (including Hakuho) have already left the world of sumo. This is abnormal, to say the least. (From left) Retired yokozuna Hakuho and Masahiro Morii at a press conference about the World Sumo Grand Slam they are planning and Toyota's sponsorship of the project. In Tokyo on June 9. (©Sankei by Kanata Iwasaki) No one can deny Hakuho's accomplishments. At a time when faith in the national sport had hit rock bottom due to professional baseball gambling and match-fixing scandals, he restored the popularity of sumo through his efforts both inside and outside the ring. And how can we ever forget how he stood at the forefront of efforts to support areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake? The association proved unable to develop such a great person into a leader in the sumo world. And in the wake of the recent scandal, it left him in a state of limbo without indicating if or when he would be able to reopen the stable. Isn't how the association operates also one of the root causes of the problem? The number of Japanese rikishi (sumo wrestlers) continues to fall due to the country's declining births. In addition, younger people are turned off by the old-fashioned, violent culture that continues within the sport. It is wrong for the Japan Sumo Association to try to pin all the blame on Hakuho's character. Nor can it summarily close the curtain on the issue because he has departed. (Read the editorial in Japanese .) Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
