Sumo stablemaster Oitekaze under investigation for alleged assault

Saturday 25th July, 04:56 PM JST

TOKYO —

In yet another case that could further tarnish the image of Japan’s ancient sport, sumo stablemaster Oitekaze is being investigated by the Japan Sumo Association for the alleged assault in March of a ‘‘tokoyama’’ wrestler’s hairdresser, sumo sources said Saturday. The JSA last summer implemented measures to prevent acts of violence following the hazing death of a 17-year-old wrestler at the Tokitsukaze stable two years ago.

According to sources familiar with the latest incident, the 23-year-old tokoyama, formerly a sumo wrestler, had also on many occasions in the past physically abused young wrestlers of the stable. Oitekaze, 43, said he did not like what was happening and beat the tokoyama in order to have him reflect on his own violent behavior.

‘‘I thought it wasn’t the right time to hit him, but I felt I had to do it,’’ said the stablemaster.

The tokoyama, employed by the JSA, has already left his job.

Oitekaze has also admitted to telling the young wrestlers to exact revenge on the tokoyama, the sources said.

‘‘We only heard about what had happened in the stable. We haven’t decided whether to take this to a board meeting,’’ said senior JSA official Isenoumi.

› Login to comment

13 Comments

some14some at 07:27 PM JST - 25th July

In yet another case that could further tarnish the image of Japan’s ancient sport,

No, not further, Sumo image is already tarnished to its fullest...!
outofmydepth at 07:53 PM JST - 25th July

sumo is so tarnished now - it is sad. and there should be no wonder why young japanese don`t want to join sumo - to go for more and even dangerous bullying?!?!? i think not.
smithinjapan at 08:22 PM JST - 25th July

Here's my prediction: the whole thing is investigated (by the JSF, of course), and when it goes to trial the person/people who did the beating are given a suspended sentence with the judge claiming, "They have suffered enough".
isthistheend at 08:44 PM JST - 25th July

Why isn't there a boycott of the sport until they prove they can produce a native born Champion without steroids, drugs and beatings and the like. Then, and only then, will Sumo return to its days of yore, or is that an impossible dream of the past? Takanohana's children should becoming of age before too long. And I heard his son was gigantic by the time he was in elementary school, so maybe he'll succeed his father, the great Yokozuna.
Madara at 09:35 PM JST - 25th July

Used to be a huge fan of sumo, sad but now I think sumo is just a sport for nasty little bullies
Sarge at 09:52 PM JST - 25th July

Madara - sumo is not for nasty little bullies, it's for nasty big bullies like Chiyotaikai and big gentlemen like Takamisakari.
Disillusioned at 10:08 PM JST - 25th July

The history and culture of sumo is based on bullying and intimidation. Come to think of it, that pretty well sums up Japanese culture on the whole. However, the drugs are new. RIP sumo! No more smelly ugly fat men jumping around in nappies with their ass cracks hanging out. I'm gonna miss it so much! (not!)
medievaltimes at 11:09 PM JST - 25th July

According to sources familiar with the latest incident, the 23-year-old tokoyama, formerly a sumo wrestler, had also on many occasions in the past physically abused young wrestlers of the stable. Oitekaze, 43, said he did not like what was happening and beat the tokoyama in order to have him reflect on his own violent behavior.

‘‘I thought it wasn’t the right time to hit him, but I felt I had to do it,’’ said the stablemaster.

Thank you for the clarification. Now I completely understand.
medievaltimes at 11:13 PM JST - 25th July

Physical violence is a lazy form of discipline.

In my experience, a lot of Japanese prefer physical violence to a more sophisticated form of discipline. Ive seen it many times in public and even heard that its normal in public schools.
sharky1 at 11:15 PM JST - 25th July

seems to me that the police should be investigating this incident instead of the Sumo Federation...something is wrong with this picture...
Madara at 11:30 PM JST - 25th July

Thanks for th

Sarge, thanks for the info!
smithinjapan at 11:33 PM JST - 25th July

Try to think of it this way, people: Sumo was born of an ancient Shinto ritual, and became a sport. Now that sport is as good as and better off dead. It's returning to its roots. Perhaps again it itself can be purified and purged of all the crap, and if they ditch the JSF, which has proven to be nothing more than a corrupt and defunct organization, and can make a true comeback. As it is, if they don't stop it outright, it'll be like professional wrestling with fatter people.

Either way, the last nail was hammered into the coffin a while back.
elbudamexicano at 12:41 AM JST - 26th July

Just the tip of the iceberg! I am sure lots more horrible things in the sumo world must be happening and we are just waiting for them to surface.