SUMO’S ENFANT terrible, Asashoryu, one of the sport’s most successful wrestlers despite a career dogged by scandal and controversy, has sensationally quit amid claims he drunkenly attacked a man outside a Tokyo nightclub.
The 148kg (325lb) Mongolian firebrand handed in his resignation yesterday to the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) after being summoned to explain the incident, which reportedly left the man with serious injuries, including a broken nose.
“I have resigned to take responsibility for causing so much trouble to the JSA and to sumo,” a tearful Asashoryu (29) told reporters after the dressing-down.
“I’m now going to take a break and relax.”
News that the sport’s biggest draw was stepping down was the top story on many Japanese TV networks and dominated the media in his native Mongolia, where he is a national hero.
Police have dropped charges against the wrestler, who reportedly reached a settlement with his victim last week. But the JSA took a dim view of the nightclub fight, the latest in a string of scandals plaguing him and the sport.
“We were debating today whether or not to punish Asashoryu,” JSA chairman Musashigawa said. “He felt compelled to resign for misconduct, which was inexcusable, and the board accepted.”
The third-most successful sumo wrestler of all time in terms of tournament wins, Asashoryu – real name Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj – has by turns thrilled and divided fans with his antics inside and outside the dohyo (ring).
Soon after climbing to the rank of Yokozuna (grand champion) in 2003, he was disqualified for pulling the topknot of opponent Kyokushuzan, a serious breach of sumo rules. He later allegedly followed the wrestler to a dressing room and punched him.
In 2007, the JSA handed Asashoryu one of the toughest punishments in the sport’s history after he took sick leave to return home and play a charity football match. They suspended him and slashed his 2.8-million-yen (€23,000) monthly salary by 30 per cent.
The same year, the wrestler fought magazine allegations that he paid opponents about $6,500 (€4,725) a bout to take a dive, but was later vindicated when a court dismissed the claims and ordered the magazine to pay damages.
Asashoryu went on to answer his critics in the most emphatic way possible, winning 25 topdivision titles, including his final victory last month when he clinched the prestigious Emperor’s Cup. Though hit recently by injuries, he was still expected to continue wrestling for several years.
Asked about leaving the sport under a cloud, Asashoryu called his resignation “destiny” and said he was looking forward to returning home to Mongolia.
“I’d like to take a break and relax. I’m only 29 and have a long time to live,” he said.“I love sumo more than anything else, but I couldn’t express that love in words. I could only show it in the ring.”