[sumo] Interesting Yomiuri Article

[Jack Gartin]

For whatever it's worth, here's an interesting summary of the NSK's "Annus
Horribulus" from the Yomiuri on-line.  When you pile it all up like this,
you wonder why Kitanoumi and a couple of others haven't already resigned.
Still there's Kokonoe waiting in the wings.......  Maybe not a bad thing at
this juncture.

Regards
Tamagoyama

THE INSIDE GRIP: Sumo's big cheeses letting their charges down

James Hardy / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter

The Daiki Kameda debacle last week was a welcome--and rare--reminder of why
sumo fans still have something to cheer about.

Calling WBC flyweight champion Daisuke Naito a "cockroach," threatening to
kill himself if he didn't win their title bout--Kameda's pathetic
grandstanding reiterated the stark difference between trash-talking boxers
and sumo's stoic warriors.

The Japan Sumo Association works hard to maintain an air of mystique around
its behemoth fighters. No verbal sparring, no pumping yourself up or talking
your opponent down, hardly any celebrating when you win and no tears when
you lose.

The image of sekitori as strong, silent types supports the aura of
quasi-religiosity and tradition exemplified by the Shinto trappings, shrine
roof and Edo-period dress that characterize every tournament.

There are some quirky exceptions--"Robocop" Takamisakari and Kitazakura, who
reacts to every loss with a rendition of the death scene from Madame
Butterfly.

But most wrestlers keep their part of the deal. They submit to the rigors of
stable life, the strict hierarchy of the world and, in public, say the right
things, repeating the refrain to "try to do my sumo," "take it one day at a
time" and "give it my all."

This can be frustrating for reporters trying to get a decent story--I was
once refused entry to a tour dressing room by a stablemaster who said
wrestlers should be seen and not heard. But there is sense to the wrestlers'
public reticence, which is related to their ability to suck it up, bow and
keep their feelings out of the ring.

Unfortunately, some of sumo's other unusual habits are less than
praiseworthy. The death of Tokitaizan, the 17-year-old allegedly beaten on
the orders of his stablemaster, is just one example.

Stables are independently run and training is organized by individual
stablemasters. That said, the casual brutality that led to Tokitaizan's
death is part and parcel of the sumo world. Beatings are seen as a normal
way to toughen up young wrestlers who do not respond to verbal persuasion,
and are condoned by those in charge because that's how they were treated.

This in part explains why Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi and his
board of directors made such a mess of dealing with Tokitaizan's death--an
event that was the worst of a terrible year for the the big cheeses at the
Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Here is a recap of sumo's annus horribilus:

--Shukan Gendai magazine publishes a series of match-fixing allegations
against top wrestlers. Lawsuits follow.

--As Hakuho prepares for yokozuna promotion, his stablemaster is caught on
tape bragging about match-fixing.

--Tokitaizan dies in training. Police later say they will press charges and
stablemaster Tokitsukaze is dismissed.

--Asashoryu is suspended for playing hooky from a tour. A monthlong standoff
between the yokozuna and officials ensues.

The association's response to all these events has been to batten down the
hatches and fire off random shots at easy targets.

When the wide shows went mad over Asashoryu's ball-related misdemeanors, the
association's response was to revoke the press pass of a former NHK
commentator, a self-professed "JSA cheering team member" who appeared on TV
programs in which other guests put the boot in.

It then did the same to Fuji TV when it got an exclusive interview in which
the then Tokitsukaze gave his side of the Tokitaizan story.

The association is now embroiled in a similar punchup with TBS, which filmed
Asashoryu in Mongolia. Stretching his already limited credibility to
breaking point, JSA press honcho Takasago said he withdrew permission after
realizing TBS was going to talk to the yokozuna.

The feeling that the association has lost the plot has spread to the
ministry of sport, which told Kitanoumi to establish an advisory committee
to oversee training and discipline, rather like the Yokozuna Deliberation
Council.

This group will be made up of laypeople with an interest in sumo--just like
the YDC. On paper, it looks like a PR exercise to take the pressure off. But
if it can help sumo open up, take some fresh ideas but protect those moments
when the sport rises above mere wins and losses, sumo officials will have
something to smile about.

Right now, that's as rare as one of the Kameda brothers boxing clever.
(Oct. 24, 2007)