[sumo] Kyodo news on Asa to go back or not...

[Patrick Bal]

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007


Asashoryu should go home: doctor

Kyodo News

The chief doctor of the Japan Sumo Association medical clinic said Monday
that it is preferable for yokozuna Asashoryu to return to Mongolia in order
to recover from his current state of emotional breakdown.

 
Yokozuna Asashoryu, shown visiting Yasukuni Shrine in April 2006, for a
ceremonial ritual match, is suffering from an emotional breakdown. YOSHIAKI
MIURA PHOTO 
 

Hiroyuki Yoshida said Asashoryu has been diagnosed with dissociative
disorder based on examinations conducted Sunday by the doctor appointed by
the JSA, adding he has conveyed the latest diagnosis of the grand champion
to his stable master Takasago.

"It's desirable that he returns to Mongolia at an early date and I have told
this to elder Takasago," Yoshida said. 

According to Yoshida, Asashoryu was under less stress than when he was
diagnosed with a form of acute stress nearly two weeks ago but showed little
response to questions by him and other doctors.

Yoshida said Asashoryu began taking tranquilizers on Saturday.

Takasago, however, is sticking with his policy of having Asashoryu receive
treatment in Japan.

"He should be hospitalized or see a doctor regularly in Japan first of all.
It's a decision that has been made by the sumo association's executive
committee," Takasago said. 

"Then he can go back to Mongolia for recuperation if he wants to."

JSA Chairman Kitanoumi also denied that the association will allow Asashoryu
to return to Mongolia soon and mentioned the punitive measure imposed on him
for playing soccer in his home country after opting to skip a regional
summer tour citing injuries.

"That's what we decided on at our executive committee," Kitanoumi said,
suggesting that the JSA has no intention of lifting the punishment slapped
on the yokozuna on Aug. 1.

"As for medical treatment on him, we will handle the matter appropriately in
line with doctors' instructions," Kitanoumi added.

Asashoryu's illness surfaced shortly after the JSA took punitive measures
against him, which include barring him from competing in the grand sumo
tournaments in September and November, as well as a salary cut.

The JSA took the unprecedentedly harsh punitive action against a grand
champion after it was discovered he had played in a charity soccer match in
Mongolia after submitting a medical certificate to the association and
obtained permission to skip the regional tour.