Wakanohou arrested for drug possession

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Police have released wire tap records of Wakanoho's home phone just before he was picked up in late August...

Edited September 9, 2008 by Otokonoyama

[Doitsuyama 1,192]

Are you sure there were no exception to this bylaw in the past ? I remember a story you told about a rikishi whose father commited suicide and whose wish was to see his son return to Ozumo after having been fired (can't remember the name of this rikishi)

Here it was, but that was in the 1930s. Things were a lot more free-wheeling before and shortly after the Tokyo/Osaka merger than they are nowadays. Still, the by-laws aren't exactly put in stone for eternity, and there's a lot of reform pressure now, some of which could lead to unexpected outcomes.

There are several cases of rikishi leaving Ozumo and coming back with a second hatsu dohyo (I believe it was called sai-dohyo in Sumo magazine?). Some examples: Chiyominato, Kitanomine, Wakayutaka, former sekiwake Tamanofuji, Nantaisan and Iwatora (former Mr. Lynn Matsuoka - he even reached makushita before leaving Ozumo and starting all over again).

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Did the people Doitsu-san listed retire from the Kyokai voluntarily before returning, or were some/any of them retired by their shiso as a disciplinary matter?

[Peterao 3]

Did the people Doitsu-san listed retire from the Kyokai voluntarily before returning, or were some/any of them retired by their shiso as a disciplinary matter?

I would like to believe that disciplinary problems of the level of banishment from Ozumo are not as common as they recently seem.

The majority of the reported problems have come from foreign rikishi, and there haven't been all that many of them until recently.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

I'd question the logistics of having a non-foreign rikishi fill the foreigner quota, as that's presumably the type of "spot" that roydrager was talking about, not his newly-unoccupied spot in makuuchi.

Yes, he probably meant that.

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Wakanohou went to the Kkan today and spoke to the new riji and other Oyakata, apologizing for what he did and begging them to let him return to sumo. They denied him, saying there is no way back from dismissal. "Whatever happens, I want to do sumo. I have no intention of cutting my hair", he said seriously."It's really too bad, but the dismissal was decided , so he cannot be accepted", said Kokonoe Oyakata. "Looking at how the Kyokai dealt with troublesome rikishi in the past, the Kyokai's actions in this case were over the top. He doesn't want to cause any more trouble, but he may have to take them to court..", said his lawyer.

Edited September 9, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Jonosuke 28]

There are several cases of rikishi leaving Ozumo and coming back with a second hatsu dohyo (I believe it was called sai-dohyo in Sumo magazine?). Some examples:

...

Tamanofuji

..

Tamanofuji's resignation paper was never forwarded to the Kyokai office by his oyakata so in a formal sense he was not out of the Kyokai.

Often oyakata won't file the request immediately as they know once it's done, it's permanent.

A case of Iwatora is interesting though. I believe his paper was actually sent out and filed but several years later he was asked again by the new oyakata to rejoin. I have no idea what the circumstances behind this but curious to know.

[Asashosakari 19,654]

There are several cases of rikishi leaving Ozumo and coming back with a second hatsu dohyo (I believe it was called sai-dohyo in Sumo magazine?). Some examples: Chiyominato, Kitanomine, Wakayutaka, former sekiwake Tamanofuji, Nantaisan and Iwatora (former Mr. Lynn Matsuoka - he even reached makushita before leaving Ozumo and starting all over again).

Interesting. (I love how all these little historical tidbits are coming out as you're backfilling the results. (Blinking...)) So maybe they did allow rikishi to rejoin as long as they were still young enough? Hmm.

I take it that all these guys reappeared with their previous stable?

Edited September 9, 2008 by Asashosakari

[madorosumaru 7]

Here is the story of Sekiwake Tamanoumi Daitaro/Daizaburo, who was kicked out for beating up a rickshaw man (prototype taxi driver (Blinking...)). He was allowed back in ozumo over nine years later as a makushita tsukedashi.

Previously posted story

Bio in Doitsu-base

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Wakanohou at the KKan today:

[aderechelsea 125]

it's funny (not "haha" funny) to see rikishi with formal clothes but not a chonmage or an oichomage. Just hair tied at the back , no bintsuke and no tokoyama's attention ....

[Peterao 3]

It would be funny (a little bit "haha" funny) to see Wakanohou become a "ronin", a masterless rikishi coming to the Kokugikan every day pleading to return. Maybe if he carried on for a year or so they would finally let him back into Jonokuchi.

[Bealzbob 0]

so they would finally let him back into Jonokuchi.

It would certainly make the 'Pick The Yusho Winner' competition a bit easier for a while :-P

[Peterao 3]

Seems that the NFL is getting tough on marijuana as well:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3580135

Of course, this guy was only released from his team, and could theoretically sign with another team. But it's another sign that marijuana use is no longer being tolerated in any sport.

[Jonosuke 28]

Formere Wakanoho attired in a Montsuki Hakama visited Magaki Beya on September 10 to apologize to his shisho, former Yokozuna Wakanoho II.

Wakanoho bowed deeply to his former shisho and asked him to take him back in again but the oyakata told him he was dismissed from the Kyokai and he could no longer accept him back.

Wakanoho appeared to realize he has finally come to the end of his sumo life then asked the oyakata to cut his hair, crying. The oyakata hugged him with tears flowing. Though the oyakata did not cut the hair, they realized this was their last meeting and the last day Wakanoho would step into Magaki Beya.

Then Wakanoho visited Otake Beya where he first stayed when he came to Japan in September 2004 and apologized to Otake oyakata.

Finally he went to a condo where former Roho and Hakurozan live but they didn't let him inside the building and he was only able to talk to them on internal phone for a minute.

Unlike the brothers, Wakanoho decided not to sue the Kyokai.

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Formere Wakanoho attired in a Montsuki Hakama visited Magaki Beya on September 10 to apologize to his shisho, former Yokozuna Wakanoho II.

He spoke with ex-Taihou for 40 minutes, and with Ootake for 15. "I have come to apologize", said Wakanohou. "That guy just came to apologize", said Ex-Taihou. "I have nothing to say", said Ootake.

Wakanohou at Ootake:

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Wakanoho looks to be a lot more sincere in his regret than his countrymen. Certainly more grace under pressure.

[Jonosuke 28]

So much for the yesterday's news.

Today he is saying he is now preparing to launch a suit a the Tokyo Regional Court asking for his reinstatement to Ozumo. He is saying the treatment is too harsh. I guess his lawyer talked to him overnight.

Personally now that he is getting a lot of sympathy everywhere he should do a Gandhi style protest by doing a sit-in in front of the Kokugikan. People will drop by offering support and food/drink (hopefully no recreational drugs) etc and some may even join him in the sit-in.

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

I'm curious, if his lawsuit is successful (a snowball's chance in hell), how will he fare in ozumo the second time around? I'm 100% sure he'd be regarded as a traitor by many rikishi and most of the oyakata. He will undoubtedly have to overcome a LOT of obstacles (from psychological pressure to outright open hostility).

[Fukurou 534]

Seems that the NFL is getting tough on marijuana as well:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3580135

Of course, this guy was only released from his team, and could theoretically sign with another team. But it's another sign that marijuana use is no longer being tolerated in any sport.

I live in Indy. It was more than just the pot that led to his release - he was already on a short leash because of his past history (mentioned in the ESPN article), so it's more like the proverbial straw and the proverbial camel's back. Here's more information from the local paper: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...RTS03/809110461

OBSumo - a situation similar to what some would find very satisfying were it to happen to the West Yokozuna?

Edited September 11, 2008 by Fukurou

[Jakusotsu 6,049]

Personally now that he is getting a lot of sympathy everywhere he should do a Gandhi style protest by doing a sit-in in front of the Kokugikan. People will drop by offering support and food/drink (hopefully no recreational drugs) etc and some may even join him in the sit-in.

This reminds me: the next time you visit the Kokugikan, take a deep breath from the bushes around the upper porch. If they smell familiar, you surely inhaled before. (You are going off-topic...)

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

So much for the yesterday's news.

Today he is saying he is now preparing to launch a suit a the Tokyo Regional Court asking for his reinstatement to Ozumo. He is saying the treatment is too harsh. I guess his lawyer talked to him overnight.

Personally now that he is getting a lot of sympathy everywhere he should do a Gandhi style protest by doing a sit-in in front of the Kokugikan. People will drop by offering support and food/drink (hopefully no recreational drugs) etc and some may even join him in the sit-in.

(Welcome...)

Really been wondering lately...is the Japan Probe "James" also "OUR James"?

http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=6131

Edited September 11, 2008 by Otokonoyama

[Kintamayama 45,527]

So much for the yesterday's news.

Today he is saying he is now preparing to launch a suit a the Tokyo Regional Court asking for his reinstatement to Ozumo. He is saying the treatment is too harsh. I guess his lawyer talked to him overnight.

Wakanohou is on an entertainment visa as mentioned here and there is a good chance he will be deported in three months. "In the past, there were Yokozuna who were caught with illegal firearms and were not dismissed. This is a "private crime", and as such, the punishment is too severe" , says the claim. "I know I did a bad thing but I want to return to Sumo any way I can. I will go to trial to make that happen!", he declared.

[Asashosakari 19,654]

http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=6131

(Hit the wall...) First comment in the corresponding thread:

Oh-oh, this is going to get ugly I suspect. I read some stuff about the JSA being a member of the IOC, so they have to abide by proper procedures before banning ...

Sigh. One more and I'll officially consider it an urban legend.

[Iwagakki 0]

This whole business is just unbelievable.

Warning: Rant Pending

I can't believe that Wakanoho was so foolish to risk his entire career just to smoke a joint. All the arguments about "it's only pot" and the supposed extreme reaction to it aside, it's against the rules. It's just against the rules, that's all. I mean...Maybe the rules are dumb and maybe they aren't, but that's not the issue. It's against the rules.

I mean, it just shows me that he didn't really comprehend what he's supposed to be ABOUT. Sumo is the strictest meritocracy in the world. You win, you go up. You lose, you go down. Sumo is about honor and discipline. I have been known to rant otherwise, but it's more than a game, and more than a contest. It is the sole remaining vestige of a code of living and a code of being. It is a WAY. It is to confront and make peace with death, and with mortality, and to conquer fear and transcend life and pain and...

The actual bouts are only the show. They are the demonstration of your progress along the WAY. (God, that sounds so hokey, I'm slapping my own face for even saying it...) But it's true.

All three of these guys have been out of step. They smoked pot, and it was against the very nature of what they claim to want to be about. Not because pot was such a horrific thing, but because it was undisciplined, and unworthy to do it. It's base, and it's against the rules. Someone who is actually about what these guys say they are about, does not betray it the way they did.

Now they are threatening to sue? Good Grief, could you manage to betray what you love in order to keep it any more than that? Where is the honor? Where is the dignity? Where is the respect?

I wonder if I am the only one who feels this way? I could kinda respect Wakanoho, because he was genuinely showing some class in the face of his mistakes, and the consequences of his mistakes. He almost went out on his shield, you know? He was doing it right. He apologized, and he bowed, and he faced it like a man. He almost achieved a sort of status of dignity in defeat that he couldn't have any other way.

He could become a fallen angel or a flawed and tough and stoic man, who gritted his teeth and beared with it stoicly and strongly through adversity. I think that could pay off dividends for him far beyond what he could have had in sumo.

I'm not saying it would, but sumo is precarious, and life is shifty. He wasn't ever going to be Richijo, or even continue in sumo as Oyakata in his thirties. But if he just holds the faith, and keeps his hinkaku, he would be forgiven, and have plenty of life left in Japan. Maybe a little bit of making the rounds on cheezy tarento shows, and a little bit of this and that? Pretty soon, a movie and a commercial. A book deal.

Even flawed, a pothead. If he just doesn't betray sumo, and the way he claims to stand for, he could be fine.

But NOOOOO. He says "Wahhhh!!! I'm gonna sue you....It's not fair..." Boohoo. What happened to "I believe in sumo" ? ARRRGHHHH!!! I expected it from the others, because they are nothing but thugs, but him?

Now what's he gonna do? Piss and moan all the way back to Russia? Regret being a whining ..... the rest of his life?

He never did GET it and he doesn't get it now.

(Hit the wall...)

OK, rant over.

Edited September 11, 2008 by Iwagakki