[sumo] Asashoryu's suspension

[Barbara]

My view of this is...
Looking at Asashoryuu's behavior in the past, it seems as if the Kyokai 
were being TOO lenient with him.  Other infractions were serious too. 
Some of the statements by elders seemed framed in a way that indicated 
they were assuming that he needed guidance and more experience.  But 
with this incident, the Kyokai possibly saw that they were being taken 
advantage of, and all leniency was over with.  I think this is an 
appropriate step, and is the first time the Kyokai has made it 
absolutely clear that they will have to be taken seriously. They may 
have factored in some old transgressions in figuring the punishment amount.

My admiration of Asashoryuu is limited to his sumo.  In almost every 
other way, I feel he is a poor sportsman, cruel, egotistical, rude, and 
not showing adequate consideration of sumo traditions -- or even an 
adequate understanding of them.  His frequent, repeated, blatant, brazen 
refusal to bow after a match to his opponent is especially inexcusable. 
Many of the videos on my site show this plainly.  See:

day 9 at http://www.technogirls.org/sumo/S07B4.htm
day 10 at http://www.technogirls.org/sumo/S07B3.htm
day 3 at http://www.technogirls.org/sumo/S07B1.htm

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Barbara Murasakihana