A sumo grand champion may face a police probe into the alleged assault of a junior wrestler, authorities said Wednesday, as more details emerged of a scandal that has rocked Japan’s national sport. Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji is alleged to have smashed a beer bottle over a fellow
A sumo grand champion may face a police probe into the alleged assault of a junior wrestler, authorities said Wednesday, as more details emerged of a scandal that has rocked Japan’s national sport.
Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Harumafuji is alleged to have smashed a beer bottle over a fellow wrestler’s head and hit him repeatedly after the younger man pulled out his smartphone while he was speaking to him.
Headlines screaming « arrest » and « retirement » were splashed over the front pages in the sumo-obsessed country, as the 33-year-old is likely to have to step down from his lofty position if charged.
A spokesman for the sumo association told AFP that a police report had been filed on behalf of the 27-year-old assaulted wrestler — Takanoiwa, also from Mongolia — by the fighter’s team.
The sumo association has set up a committee to investigate the issue but declined to comment further « until we find out the truth about the incident », he said.
Police could not confirm they have received the report, but said: « It would be true if the victim’s side said so.
