Wakanohou arrested for drug possession

[wanchanyama 0]

When it happens, it will be the first time ever an active rikishi has been dismissed.

Interesting. Futahaguro was bascially dismissed though, wasn't he? Is there a distinction between being "forced to retire" and "dismissed" (like for severance pay purposes for example)?

Futahaguro ran away from the heya, although it was pretty obvious he would be dismissed after allegedly beating his okamisan.. There definitely is a distinction.

Wakahaguro was in a similar situation, forced to retire in 1965 for gun smuggling.

[ilovesumo 12]

The word (from what I can gather with my limited reading skills) is that he has offered to resign his position as riji. The special meeting of the rijikai accepted his resignation from the board of directors. He will fall two ranks to iin. I think. Maybe.

He will fall two ranks, and get this, will be attached to the EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE department.

Oh man..

Sorry but,...this is indeed irony...wasn't there anything else but this? He is demoted for being incompetent in educational guidance...gee

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

The word (from what I can gather with my limited reading skills) is that he has offered to resign his position as riji. The special meeting of the rijikai accepted his resignation from the board of directors. He will fall two ranks to iin. I think. Maybe.

He will fall two ranks, and get this, will be attached to the EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE department.

Oh man..

On the five-o-clock NHK news update, after explaining how Magaki oyakata resigned his place on the rijikai, and his planned drop of two ranks, stated "sore dake muri deshou?"...

無理じゃないじゃん　-　それだけ　 (Sign of approval...)

I think the announcer was offering an opinion - that was my impression. I guess he felt that the oyakata bore a heavy responsibility, and thus should bear a heavier punishment. Then again, I could have missed something...

[Jonosuke 28]

A brief Q & A by Kitanoumi oyakata after the Directors meeting:

Q: About the directors' decision today.

Kitanoumi: He will be dismissed as of today. He (Wakanoho) already admitted the charge himself. Magaki oyakata recognized his severe lack of supervision for the last little while and he indicated he wished to step down from his responsibility as a director. The decisions were reached unanimously.

Q: Your thought on this incident?

K: Obviously it should have never happened. Wakanoho was a rikishi with immense pontentials. I feel very disappointed."

Q: The reason for not handing down more severe penalty for Magaki oyakata?

K: You must possess an extreme resolution to resign as a Kyokai director. We need to take the decision in account gravely. As he has acknowldeged himself his own responsibility, we felt we did not require any further action.

(Magaki oyakata accompanied Kitanoumi oyakata and was seated beside him. He acknowledged that he was not even aware Wakanoho was living away from his Heya. He declined to express any opinion on Wakanoho as saying he was not yet ready to disclose his own feeling.)

Q: What will Kyokai intend to do as a whole?

K: We will be assigning Magaki oyakata as a member of the Guidance Department. We will not be filling his vacancy. We operated as a nine member director group in the past. As for the Director of Haru Basho (which the oyakata has been working as), we will consider the appointment in due course.

Q: Your specific plans to prevent such a recurrence.

K: This incident involved one particular individual. However we will need to do our utmost to prevent a similar incident.

====================================================

Kitanoumi oyakata later paid a visit to Minister of Education, Tsuneo Suzuki and apologized for the latest incident as well as reported on the steps that the Kyokai will take to prevent such an incident.

Suzuki told the chairman that the whole Japan was shocked and the Kyokai must deal seriously to rebuild Ozumo from the ground up. "I want them to restore the Japan's greatest customs back to its former glory."

"We will do all we can possibly do to teach and guide our recruits to further the Sumo Way. Without the fans, there can be no sumo, we need to get their trust back," Kitanoumi said.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

That article Nish linked to mentions the Toki incident some years back. He was suspended for one basho after being "convicted" of vehicular manslaughter/dangerous driving causing death. IIRC the law provided a penalty of up to seven years in jail, or a one million yen fine for that. Are these incidents in any way comparable?

A recap of that:

Maegashira Toki Involved in Fatal Auto Accident

From SUMO WORLD magazine news service

#8 maegashira TOKI faces suspension by the Sumo Kyokai and possible prosecution as a result of an auto accident on December 18.

TOKI was visiting his new wife and baby in Osaka. Driving with his wife and mother-in-law after shopping, he struck a 56-year-old woman at a pedestrian crossing. The victim suffered a fractured skull and died almost instantly. According to police, TOKI was not intoxicated. Police sources indicated the following day that TOKI admitted to some responsibility for the accident. He is being questioned voluntarily; but police are expected to send papers to prosecutors. If TOKI is found to have caused the accident, he faces a fine of up to

Edited August 21, 2008 by Otokonoyama

[Kintamayama 47,300]

(Magaki oyakata accompanied Kitanoumi oyakata and was seated beside him. He acknowledged that he was not even aware Wakanoho was living away from his Heya.

This is very, very, very hard to believe. I'd say if he said that it's either a blatant lie, or Magaki Oyakata is really out of touch with reality and should do himself and his deshi a favor and retire from the Kyokai. Couple that with his beating the deshi a few months ago, and reality is taking a leave of absence from this Oyakata.

[James H 0]

...what other sport in the world would 0.3grams of cannibis mean such a draconian penalty? Guess that why sumo is sumo and a unique entity unto itself.

It's not sumo, it's Japan. He knew about the drug laws and he isn't the only young sportsman here to get his career derailed by this. A bunch of Japanese rugby players at Kanto Gakuin (the university champ a couple of years back) were expelled for growing dope plants, and the whole team was withdrawn from the university championship and the nationals. That ruined or delayed a bunch of professional rugby careers, not just of those of the "guilty" kids.

Drugs misdemeanors seem to be treated with leniency if you are in the entertainment business, but sportsmen here get much shorter shrift.

Of course, Wakanoho's real crime was getting caught - there are plenty of illegal things that people do, including sumo wrestlers, that the authorities happily turn a blind eye to*. If he hadn't been such a dimwit in the first place, then none of this would happen.

*Are the police going to raid beya and start charging rikishi caught playing hanafuda with illegal gambling?

[James H 0]

That article Nish linked to mentions the Toki incident some years back. He was suspended for one basho after being "convicted" of vehicular manslaughter/dangerous driving causing death. IIRC the law provided a penalty of up to seven years in jail, or a one million yen fine for that. Are these incidents in any way comparable?

I was checking this today and I couldn't find any evidence he was convicted of anything. As far as I can tell from newspaper reports from the time, he hit a pedestrian who ignored a red light. He was arrested on suspicion of negligence resulting in death but was released without charge. That is why the kyokai only suspended him - because he broke a kyokai by-law, not the law.

Of course, my info could be wrong...

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

That article Nish linked to mentions the Toki incident some years back. He was suspended for one basho after being "convicted" of vehicular manslaughter/dangerous driving causing death. IIRC the law provided a penalty of up to seven years in jail, or a one million yen fine for that. Are these incidents in any way comparable?

I was checking this today and I couldn't find any evidence he was convicted of anything. As far as I can tell from newspaper reports from the time, he hit a pedestrian who ignored a red light. He was arrested on suspicion of negligence resulting in death but was released without charge. That is why the kyokai only suspended him - because he broke a kyokai by-law, not the law.

Of course, my info could be wrong...

Precisely why I put the word convicted in quotation marks. AFAIK, drivers always face the greater responsibility when involved in accidents with cyclists and pedestrians, even when they haven't technically broken any rules of the road or traffic laws. Anyone involved in accidents causing injury or death to a pedestrian is charged with professional negligence causing death (if you are behind the wheel you are considered a "professional driver", and thus have a big responsibility). That's how I understand it, but am open to more info...

[Asashosakari 20,272]

K: We will be assigning Magaki oyakata as a member of the Guidance Department. We will not be filling his vacancy. We operated as a nine member director group in the past. As for the Director of Haru Basho (which the oyakata has been working as), we will consider the appointment in due course.

Kenshiro Matsunami will be demanding the vacant spot be filled by an outside appointment in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ...

Suzuki told the chairman that the whole Japan was shocked and the Kyokai must deal seriously to rebuild Ozumo from the ground up. "I want them to restore the Japan's greatest customs back to its former glory."

Code for "dial back the involvement of foreigners"? Maybe I'm just prematurely suspicious because Suzuki's a new face in all this.

At any rate, that's that, I guess. Let's all hope that Wakanoho lands on his feet in some way after the whole legal ordeal is over.

This is very, very, very hard to believe. I'd say if he said that it's either a blatant lie, or Magaki Oyakata is really out of touch with reality and should do himself and his deshi a favor and retire from the Kyokai. Couple that with his beating the deshi a few months ago, and reality is taking a leave of absence from this Oyakata.

Moto-Daikirin had the right idea when he quit a year early after realizing that he had stopped giving a damn.

Expected reaction over on Japan Today. As with most topics the consensus is that it is racism. He was kicked out because he was a foreigner. Many bring up the (incorrect) fact that those who beat the Tokitsukaze deshi to death got away with it because they were Japanese.

Quick, somebody drop the name "Kotokanyu" in there...

Edit: My early favourite excerpt from that thread mess after a quick scan...

I will not deny the fact that Wakanoho broke the law, but I really, really, reallllllllllly do wonder if this punishment was fair, seeing how the killers of the 17-year-old basically got away with it, their names never surfacing in the papers. Yes, their stablemaster got hit hard, as did the stable itself, but what of the perpetrators? Why the silence about them?

How odd, I've seen their names in basically every article since they were arrested.

Re-edit: And of course there's the customary uneducated reference to Freakonomics.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Asashosakari

[ryafuji 825]

Any reaction from Wakanoho himself yet? Do we even know where he is? In hiding in his heya, perhaps.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

He's in custody, no?

[ryafuji 825]

He's in custody, no?

Oh right, I hadn't picked up on the fact he was still in custody, sorry!

[Pak 0]

I don't understand why Magaki is being allowed to continue running a heya. I can understand the sumo association wishing to allow Magaki to save some face, but by his own admission, he has not been able to supervise the heya as he should, due to his health.

I know it's rather silly, but I also wonder if Wakanoho was forced to get his hair cut while in custody since he was expelled from the association.

Regards,

Pak

[Kintamayama 47,300]

I don't understand why Magaki is being allowed to continue running a heya. I can understand the sumo association wishing to allow Magaki to save some face, but by his own admission, he has not been able to supervise the heya as he should, due to his health.

My guess-he'll quit citing health problems soon.

I know it's rather silly, but I also wonder if Wakanoho was forced to get his hair cut while in custody since he was expelled from the association.

It's a good wonder, almost as good as Stevie. I was wondering too- I'm betting the next time he appears in public, he'll be without a mage.

[Asashosakari 20,272]

I don't understand why Magaki is being allowed to continue running a heya. I can understand the sumo association wishing to allow Magaki to save some face, but by his own admission, he has not been able to supervise the heya as he should, due to his health.

My guess-he'll quit citing health problems soon.

I agree. I'd guess that they'll use the next month to find a suitable successor heya to take in the remaining seven (or maybe six...is Wakamiume actually still there?) and transfer after Aki basho...October 1st would be the logical date.

But who knows, it could go much faster...

[Umigame 82]

Another Japanese op-ed piece, this time in Sankei's Iza, that expresses frustration with the Kyokai board. This one points a finger more squarely at Kitanoumi:

http://www.iza.ne.jp/news/newsarticle/sports/sumo/171998/

Quick summary translation:

In the current scandal there have been no penalties for the kyokai executive staff... The voluntary resignation of Magaki oyakata is too light... Scandals are continuing. The executives have said "reform", but there is no improvement. No progress on bringing in an outside director... Kitanoumi's apology to MEXT and vow to change is only words, and the emptiness of his words gets worse each time.

[Kintamayama 47,300]

For those who still haven't had enough:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20080822TDY16305.htm

http://mnweekly.ru/sport/20080821/55342865.html

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...66-2703,00.html

http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2008/08/21/...79951219316179/

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/...japan.wrestler/

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMo...T30852620080821

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/sports/news/2008082...0sp015000c.html

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_new...ail.asp?id=3898

[Kintamayama 47,300]

When asked during the interrogation how long he has been smoking pot, Wakanohou answered "Since recently.." He added that he was alone at the Roppongi disco when he acquired the stuff from a "Russian male". "We did not go with him", added two of his tsukebito.

"I really regret it now", he said.

[Kintamayama 47,300]

Pictures at an execution:

Kitanoumi and Magaki at the press conference:

Magaki Oyakata arriving at the rijikai:

[Iwagakki 0]

I'm amazed we didn't catch on earlier. Now that I look back, it seems like Wakanoho really did seem like a pothead sometimes.

Maybe he's different in real life, but I always thought some things he did were really odd. Not too long ago, there was that picture of him with his hands up in the air, and someone commented that it showed how he's out of step, or out of touch with the rest of sumo, or something like that. I thought that too.

His demeanor and style on the dohyo, which is all I have to guess him by, also seemed sort of strange sometimes. The sort of "juvenile" things, and the jumping out of the way, and that smarmy grin/swagger....classic pothead.

Anyway, I had been thinking he had this kind of "slacker" vibe, or something.

Would explain a lot.

Edited August 22, 2008 by Iwagakki

[Asashosakari 20,272]

I know it's not nice to make fun of ignorant people, and this will likely come across as just that, but I'm more presenting it as some evidence about the truly incredible "facts" that appear to be making the rounds, stuff so outlandish I'm not even sure where the heck this might have originated. From the aforementioned Japan Times thread:

He hasn't been convicted of the offense yet so a life time ban is very fast in coming particularly as it only just happened.

If he isn't convicted in a court of law he could very easily appeal the ban at the court of arbitration for sport in Switzerland (CAS), which the JSA is obligated to follow as a IOC recognized sporting body.

CAS would likely toss the life time ban out pronto.

Where do people get these ideas? (Sign of approval...)

[ilovesumo 12]

Magaki looks half-dead... (Sign of approval...)

[Mark Buckton 1]

I know it's not nice to make fun of ignorant people, and this will likely come across as just that, but I'm more presenting it as some evidence about the truly incredible "facts" that appear to be making the rounds, stuff so outlandish I'm not even sure where the heck this might have originated. From the aforementioned Japan Times thread:

He hasn't been convicted of the offense yet so a life time ban is very fast in coming particularly as it only just happened.

If he isn't convicted in a court of law he could very easily appeal the ban at the court of arbitration for sport in Switzerland (CAS), which the JSA is obligated to follow as a IOC recognized sporting body.

CAS would likely toss the life time ban out pronto.

Where do people get these ideas? (Sign of approval...)

can you link to this 'thread' please? I did a quick search and can't find the 'aforementioned' thread. Thanks.

[Kuroyama 715]

I know it's not nice to make fun of ignorant people, and this will likely come across as just that, but I'm more presenting it as some evidence about the truly incredible "facts" that appear to be making the rounds, stuff so outlandish I'm not even sure where the heck this might have originated. From the aforementioned Japan Times thread:

He hasn't been convicted of the offense yet so a life time ban is very fast in coming particularly as it only just happened.

If he isn't convicted in a court of law he could very easily appeal the ban at the court of arbitration for sport in Switzerland (CAS), which the JSA is obligated to follow as a IOC recognized sporting body.

CAS would likely toss the life time ban out pronto.

Where do people get these ideas? (Sign of approval...)

can you link to this 'thread' please? I did a quick search and can't find the 'aforementioned' thread. Thanks.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/nationa...ow_all_comments See the comment posted at "05:59 AM JST - 22nd August" by one "boonme".