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Mongolian sumo champions involved in brutal drunken brawl
Police in Japan have launched an inquiry into claims sumo grand champion Harumafuji assaulted fellow Mongolian competitor Takanoiwa during a drunken brawl in October that left the victim with serious injuries and unable to compete. Harumafuji was drinking with about 10 other sumo wrestlers in Tottori, western Japan, when he hit Takanoiwa with a beer bottle for looking at his smartphone while he was being scolded for his behaviour. Harumafuji punched him up to 30 times. Takanoiwa has a fractured skull, leaking cerebrospinal fluid and other injuries, and was not fit to continue in the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
What next? Harumafuji apologised and pulled out of the tournament. The incident sent shock waves across Japan, reminding fans the ancient sport’s reputation is tainted by scandals over match-fixing, violence and bullying. In 2010, former stable master Tokitsukaze was sentenced to five years in prison for instructing seniors to beat up a 17-year-old wrestler. The same year, grand champion Asashoryu retired following an investigation into reports of a drunken scuffle in Tokyo.