craftsman
************
- 24 Sep 2006
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An investigation is under way in Japan after allegations were made that the country's top sumo wrestler has been fixing matches.
Sumo's Grand Champion is a Mongolian called Asahoryu who won his 20th career title recently.
The allegations come from an unnamed wrestler and another man said to be connected to the Grand Champion's training stable.
They claim, in a magazine article, that Asahoryu has been paying his opponents around $6,500 (£3,318) a match to let him win.
Continued
It would surprise many people I'm sure if it was ever found not to be corrupt. But even suggesting there is match fixing can lead to strange illnesses and early - totally natural, I'm sure - deaths.
The last time there were match-fixing allegations, in 2000, the two wrestlers who made the claims died within days of each other of mysterious liver complaints.
So I guess that it's not whether bouts are being fixed, but who stands to gain the most if Asashoryu comes out badly. Perhaps because of his nationality? His success? Any ideas?
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