Monday May 28, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Sumo struggles to win back fans after scandal

Sports Jul. 13, 2011 - 04:43PM JST ( 8 )

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8 Comments

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gogogoJul. 13, 2011 - 06:01PM JST

Either the top executives so disconnected from the wrestlers and didn't know this was happening and have no control over their own organisation or they are in on it too...

It's so obviously by the way they conducted their own "internal investigation" that they all had egg on their faces. They just want it to go away.... but I hope the executives go away, I'm glad their screwed sumo it's their own fault
-2

NovenachamaJul. 13, 2011 - 06:11PM JST

Many traditionalist feel that the existence of professional sumo has been threaten by the growing success of amateur sumo. Scandals upon scandals have surfaced and badly hurt the reputation of sumo including the cheating amongst sumo wrestlers, violence in the stable and even gender discrimination. Since the invasion of western entertainment in the recent decades the popularity of sumo has declined. But times aren't dark for sumo in Japan. All around the world of amateur sumo circle is growing therefore sumo will survive as a sport and maybe it won't be long until sumo might one day be part of the Olympics.
1

smithinjapanJul. 13, 2011 - 06:20PM JST

“It’s going to take more than a slap on the wrist to clean it up. You need to look at the people who run the sport.”

This man is bang on! When the leaders are corrupt and simply replace those below them ultimately nothing has been done save to create scapegoats, and history will repeat itself.
1

sf2kJul. 13, 2011 - 09:33PM JST

it doesn't mean a thing if the JSA board doesn't step down.
0

John BeckerJul. 14, 2011 - 06:55AM JST

Here's a wild idea. The Emperor should step in. He should order the board of the JSA to step down. (Ordering seppuku would be more fitting, but whatever...) He should bring in people of impeccable character to run the JSA and police the stablemasters and rikishi. He should attend the first and last days of every basho for a year, to show people that he's interested and involved. He should promote sumo to young Japanese men, stressing that it is honorable again.

Why the Emperor? Because he's the symbol of the state, and because the damn trophy has his name on it. And because I'm pretty sure he's the only one who could pull it off.
0

warnerbroJul. 14, 2011 - 10:04AM JST

If they want me to watch, Kaio has to retire before breaking Chiyonofuji's record. He can't carry Chiyo's fundoshi. His first two matches were disgraceful. His total wins have been gained merely by hanging on at the brink of relegation to a lower rank time after time. Chiyonofuji won by, well, winning. He won basho and retired long before he might have pained fans to watch. They really need some clean young guys and a Japanese champion or two. I've nothing against the foreign wrestlers and wish them well, but Japanese are so nationalistic about sports that they won't get excited about the gaijin. Not like baseball or basketball in the States, where they just want the best bloke to win.
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LoveNotJul. 14, 2011 - 08:57PM JST

i am very sad that there arent any reports about sumo here.
0

TorafusuTorasanJul. 15, 2011 - 02:34PM JST

@John Becker,

Interesting idea, but it would take an emperor who really cares about the sport. I don't think he is too big on any pro sports except tennis.

You suggest that he should "promote sumo to young Japanese men, stressing that it is honorable again"--yeah, except then young men could just say, "What's in it for us besides 'honor'? You didn't have to stuff your guts and undergo brutal physical hazing for years as a child, so why should we? Just for the entertainment of a bunch of retirees, yakuza, and foreigners? Are you feeling OK, grandpa?"