[sumo] Asashoryu's Return to Japan May Be Delayed

[Dale Carlson]

At 12:55 PM 11/28/2007 -0500, sumocypher at aol.com wrote:
>
>The Japanese press would rival the Keystone cops, if they weren't so
pathetically stupid:

Well, he did manage to get back anyway. Here's an AP/ Kyodo news story:

	
Sumo: Asashoryu arrives back in Japan full of remorse	
Nov 30 05:13 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Nov. 30 (AP) - (Kyodo)

Grand champion Asashoryu apologized for a misdemeanor that led to a
two-tournament ban after arriving back in Japan from his native Mongolia 
on Friday.

The Japan Sumo Association banned the yokozuna from the Autumn 
Grand Sumo Tournament in September and the Kyushu meet in November 
after it was revealed that he played in a charity soccer match in Mongolia, 
although he had asked to be excused from the summer regional tour 
citing injuries.

The shock of the punishment caused Asashoryu to slump into a depression 
and he was later diagnosed with a "dissociative disorder" and returned to 
Mongolia on Aug. 29.

"I have caused everyone a great deal of trouble over this extended period
and would like to offer my heartfelt apologies," Asashoryu told a news 
conference.

"I was asked to play (soccer) in Mongolia whatever it took and that's why I
played. I take full responsibility," said Asashoryu.

Asashoryu had been receiving treatment for injuries and a stress disorder
the last three months in his homeland.

"Being back in my hometown in Mongolia among family and friends was the
good medicine to treat my stress," said Asashoryu.

Asashoryu's suspension was lifted with the conclusion of the Kyushu Grand
Sumo Tournament, which wrapped up last Sunday.

Later Friday, Asashoryu is also expected to offer an apology to the members
of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, a powerful advisory body to the Japan 
Sumo Association overlooking sumo's top wrestlers.

The 27-year-old is to take part in a regional tour beginning in Oita
Prefecture on Sunday for his first assignment back in Japan.