Sumo Retired yokozuna Hakuho to leave sumo amid controversy

[thomas]

Hakuho, the retired yokozuna widely regarded as the greatest in sumo history, is set to leave the sport following a challenging tenure as a stablemaster under the name Miyagino. The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) accepted his resignation as both stablemaster and an association member during an emergency board meeting on 2 June.

Hakuhō performs the Shiranui style dohyō-iri.

Now 40 years old and currently residing in his native Mongolia, Miyagino is expected to hold a press conference upon his return to Japan. His departure follows disciplinary action taken in February 2024, when the JSA demoted him to its lowest rank and cut his salary for failing to report violence by one of his apprentices. Despite his success, his behaviour, such as becoming too emotional in the dohyo and urging spectators to give three cheers during his championship interview, was frequently criticised as inappropriate in the traditional sport known for its decorum.

If Miyagino's attitude toward his job was considered to be improved, the JSA suggested it was open to allowing him to reopen his stable. Miyagino moved to Japan at the age of 15 in 2000. As the fierece sumo wrestler Hakuho, he won a record 45 championships as he dominated the sport for more than a decade starting from 2010 when he became the sole yokozuna after the retirement of his rival Asashoryu. Hakuho's career total included 1,187 wins over 122 tournaments, with 1,093 of those wins coming in 103 makuuchi top-division tournaments. Since 2007, he served as the 69th yokozuna, the highest-ranking sumo wrestler, for more than a record 14 years, and stepped down as an active wrestler in September 2021.

SUMO/ Retired grand champion Hakuho to leave sport after flap | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Former yokozuna Hakuho to leave sumo association

Hakuho’s departure comes more than a year after his stable closed down over a physical abuse incident involving one of its wrestlers.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Majestic]

I get it, but I also wonder if Sumo 's decorum is too outdated, and partially responsible for its declining popularity.

 

[Ukigumo]

I like the stoic, solemn behaviour expected of the rikishi. It's refreshingly dignified compared to the almost ubiquitous displays of clenched fisted uppercuts, accompanied by a silly grimace in tennis and the ridiculous antics of goal celebrations in football.

 

[thomas]

I get it, but I also wonder if Sumo's decorum is too outdated, and partially responsible for its declining popularity.

Is it declining? Ticket sales for the past few grand sumo tournaments suggest otherwise. One thing is for sure: foreign interest is on the rise. The same applies to nihonshu.

 

[Majestic]

Interesting - I thought it was on the decline, but you are correct. It was on the decline some years ago, with empty seats in the auditorium, and they could not hang the "sold out" banners in the stadiums anymore, but I guess my info needs updating.

 

[Ukigumo]

If you want to attend a basho during a visit to Japan, they suggest booking 3-4 months in advance! I wonder if the Freakenomics film put people off Osumo?

 

[Lothor]

If you want to attend a basho during a visit to Japan, they suggest booking 3-4 months in advance! I wonder if the Freakenomics film put people off Osumo?

I doubt it. Foreigners are mainly interested because of the spectacle, and Japanese people seem to be comfortable with yarase (events where the result has been fixed in advance, but everyone plays along, pretending that it hasn't), judging from the TV.

 

[Ukigumo]

I doubt it. Foreigners are mainly interested because of the spectacle, and Japanese people seem to be comfortable with yarase (events where the result has been fixed in advance, but everyone plays along, pretending that it hasn't), judging from the TV.

Are the results of sumo fixed?

 

[johnnyG]

Are the results of sumo fixed?

Not these days, but there was a time that that was rumored.

My wife is an avid fan. Especially local guy Endo, who has peaked/aged out/dealing with ongoing injuries. Kind of like an old friend or comrade.

The new guy Oh-no-sato, from a nearby town, doesn't get her empathy. Too new, too easily done on his path to the top, something like that.

I'm an old school type, the era of Chiyonofuji, Terao, and the Hawaiians.

 

[Buntaro]

I used to live for the nights when Chiyonofuji would battle Hokutoumi. I have never seen a clearer example of everyone loving one guy and hating the other! (And now Hokutoumi is president of the sumo association!)

 

[thomas]

If you want to attend a basho during a visit to Japan, they suggest booking 3-4 months in advance! I wonder if the Freakenomics film put people off Osumo?

You can reserve tickets about a month before the tournament. Some ticket agents may sell them two months in advance. The system is not very transparent.

 

[mdchachi]

Are the results of sumo fixed?

Not sure if it's been looked at recently but there was some statistical analysis that made a compelling argument that some matches were pre-determined. For example if the wrestler needed a winning record (8 wins) they would win that 15th match at statistically improbable rates even against opponents they typically lose to.

 

[Lothor]

Are the results of sumo fixed?

I thought that's what you were implying by mentioning Freakonomics. I don't think it is in general, though as mdchachi says, if a wrestler has to win a key match where the opposition losing doesn't make much difference, they do extraordinarily well. These guys live in very close quarters, and there must be some unspoken pressure to preserve harmony.

 

[thomas]

Match-fixing in professional sumo - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Ukigumo]

I thought that's what you were implying by mentioning Freakonomics. I don't think it is in general, though as mdchachi says, if a wrestler has to win a key match where the opposition losing doesn't make much difference, they do extraordinarily well. These guys live in very close quarters, and there must be some unspoken pressure to preserve harmony.

I mistakenly thought you meant the fixing went on even today. There are some matches which look a bit too easy.

I always like the little guys...the underdogs. Ishiura was great but his lack of adipose mass (albeit with plenty of muscle mass) meant he kept losing to the behemoth-types of rikishi. His tachi ai became too low and he'd fall victim to hatakikomi 'slap downs'; obviously some bad advice from someone. I believe he was once a competant Judoka and baseballer? Wonder what happened to him.... I like Ura too for similar reasons and his dynamic athleticism although he's bulked up considerably recently and his trademark leaps, bounds and flexibility-defying twists and bends have disappeared.

Endo's sumo has been a cure for insomnia for most of his career. Tell your wife I said that.

 

[thomas]

Hakuho

Today, former yokozuna Hakuho said he hoped to remain involved in sumo from outside the Japan Sumo Association after stepping down from the governing body. At a press conference in Tokyo, the 40-year-old explained that, considering his current position, he believed it would be better to support the sport from an external role. He also shared plans to promote sumo globally through a concept he called a "World Sumo Grand Slam," inspired by the Hakuho Cup, an international sumo tournament for boys that he had led since his days as an active wrestler.

Hakuho won a record 45 tournaments before retiring from competition in 2021 to coach wrestlers, but his stable was indefinitely shut in April last year. The 40-year-old was handed an embarrassing demotion for failing to control the behavior of his protege Hokuseiho, who allegedly punched his lower-ranked stablemates and stole money from them. Sumo has been dogged by multiple scandals in the past including allegations of bullying, illegal betting and links to organized crime. Hakuho, who returned to Tokyo from Mongolia for the press conference, said he had "cried a lot". Having no clear indication of when the stable could resume operations was the main reason for his decision to walk away, he said.

Former Hakuho to Be Involved in Sumo from Outside Association - JIJI PRESS

NEWS JIJI PRESS

jen.jiji.com

 

[Ukigumo]

Oh dear. It seems the same old issues continue to plague the world of Sumo !

https://theweek.com/sports/sumo-wrestling-is-taking-a-beating?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/news

 

[Ukigumo]

There seems to be a thing about doing dodgy things with funds within traditional Japanese associations. I know of a scandal with a high-ranking Japanese coach who was receiving cash 'gifts' from a British association for 'favours' with regards grading examinations. When that siphoning of funds was discovered by various officers in the association they received 'hamon' (破門) together with anyone who didn't vocally support that high-ranking coach! Another Japanese high-ranker subsequently said to the association, "You must never question whatever your teachers says or do"!