[sumo] [spoilers]Takanohana and steroid abuse

[artist at aloha.net]

On 12/10/07 11:59 AM, "Scott M. Kahn" <smk1 at columbia.edu> wrote:

> Fast forward to the Asashoryu debaucle.  The Kyokai goes all out
> against him, while having condoned Takanohana for missing many more
> Jungyo.  This is in spite of Asashoryu handling his responsibilities
> at prior Jungyo, after going out of his way to present himself in a
> Yokozuna-like manner, from all reports.


It should be remembered that there is NO LAW in Japan against using such
drugs, in sumo or anywhere else, as far as I know. Taka  always lived up to
all the unwritten Japanese rules of  behavior and honor, so there was no
reason to chastise him.

 I say that if Asashoryu's actions warranted such an
> overblown reaction from the Kyokai, that Takanohana's actions
> warrant a full investigation into steroid abuse.  If it is found
> that he did abuse steroids, either willingly or through awful
> advice, then he relinquish his current position, or be suspended
> for a time that is equivalent to Asashoryu's punishment multiplied
> by the number of Jungyo that Takanohana missed.


Never happen. For one thing it is way after the fact. When Taiho¹s winning
streak was mistakenly halted by the bad call of the gyoji years ago, a MUCH
more important problem,  even tho  every newspaper in Japan had the photo
showing the truth  the very next day, showing that Toda actually lost, the
kyokai would not reverse the decision.  Just as an example. They don't go
back. 

Lynn Matsuoka
The SUMO artist
www.traditions.jp