The Brothers- the aftermath

[Kintamayama 45,543]

Although the Brothers held a press conference yesterday and reiterated their innocence and their plans to sue the Kyokai, there wasn't much talk of "getting back to Sumo", as opposed to Wakanohou. They have quietly begun to check out moving on to other martial arts. They did, however, appear with all the sumo "look", including the sandals, at their park press conference yesterday, in front of over 100 media people. They brought in a tokoyama/friend who fixed them up with a normal mage. "We have no intention of speaking with Wakanohou", said one of them, stressing the difference between them - that he IS an admitting user, while they have never seen or touched the stuff. "We are innocent. Please support us!", they said. Still, the lawyer says he will decide if they will file a suit next week, after hopefully getting answers to his questions. The lawyer knows that a trial like this can drag on forever. "Their entertainers' visa expires in three months. They may find new jobs, or go back home- I may have to think about temporary measures..", he explained. The brothers did not express their strong wish to return to the dohyo, they seem to only want to clear their damaged reputations. "They are facing reality and have begun talks to start new careers in other martial arts. A few organizations have already approached them", said people close to them. There have been cases in various martial arts that drug using athletes were discharged as well, so getting a clean bill is essential to them in any case.

Edited June 5, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,543]

Oonishi doping Committee guy answers the brothers' claims:

A: "We were threatened to admit we smoked in LA"

O: "How could anyone threaten them if NO ONE KNEW?? They admitted it, and that was the first time we heard it".

A: "The tests aren't legal because one rikishi was missing"

O: "So Chiyohakuhou was missing. If he were there, would the brothers' results been negative??

A: "We don't need sample B"

O: "Waiving their right to test another sample is in fact agreeing it was positive - Suing after waiving is unheard of in the world.."

[Jonosuke 28]

Just add a comment made by their lawyer regarding the testing.

According to Hakuroho brothers, the Doping Committee only gave a presentation on steroids testing, none at all on marijuana testing. Lawyer Shinoya said the part was added after the Wakanoho incident in a hurry and no explanation was given or announced to the rikishi prior to the testing. The lawyer maintains the screening was improperly performed due to insufficient prior consultation to the rikishi.

They are also arguing the Kyokai initially stated that the results and identification of rikishi name would not be publicly disclosed and they never specified the penalty for misuse. They say the Kyokai's actions are totally inappropriate and arbitrary and they intend to argue in the court the rights of the brothers were violated and their reputation irreparably damaged.

The media see them simply trying to clear the Kyokai's charge so they can cleanly move onto another field like a professional wrestling. Some reports say they are privately saying that they were rather pleased to be out of the Ozumo's tight grip and could act any way they want now.

[Jonosuke 28]

Former professional wrestler Antonio Inoki now heading his own group IGF indicated that he would not mind taking look at the brothers and Wakanoho.

"You know every time there is a scandal, my name crops up. I know you can't avoid controversies in our business so if they feel like it, I don't think there is anything wrong," Inoki said.

Inoki is a good friend of Kokonoe oyakata and know many active rikishi. "I have certain relationships to the Kyokai so I guess if they come over following a flow, I guess it's OK."

[Kintamayama 45,543]

The brothers are going with their lawyer to the Russian embassy in Tokyo tomorrow to keep them posted on their ongoing story. "There is also the question of the visas etc.., and we expect them to support us. We don't intend to turn this into a political issue ", said the lawyer.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Fukurou 534]

Oonishi doping Committee guy answers the brothers' claims:

A: "We were threatened to admit we smoked in LA"

O: "How could anyone threaten them if NO ONE KNEW?? They admitted it, and that was the first time we heard it".

A: "The tests aren't legal because one rikishi was missing"

O: "So Chiyohakuhou was missing. If he were there, would the brothers' results been negative??

A: "We don't need sample B"

O: "Waiving their right to test another sample is in fact agreeing it was positive - Suing after waiving is unheard of in the world.."

Since when does anyone in their right mind say they don't need to have a B sample when doing drug testing? That's nuts! That's your protection against getting sued, not some statement that may or may not have actually been made.

NSK at work, I guess - if there's a way to screw something up, they'll find it.

[Kintamayama 45,543]

As was written somewhere before (can't find that one..) all trinkets sold in the KKan are devoid of the three Smoketeers. Calendars, pictures, etc.. no sign of them

Except here, third from the left, is Rohou:

Maybe someone who is actually there can tell us more???

[Mark Buckton 1]

and every single one of the thousands of banzuke sold daily, plus the rikishi directory, plus......

(Shaking head...) (Whistling...) (Blushing...)

[Pak 0]

Since when does anyone in their right mind say they don't need to have a B sample when doing drug testing? That's nuts! That's your protection against getting sued, not some statement that may or may not have actually been made.

NSK at work, I guess - if there's a way to screw something up, they'll find it.

Not sure how the B Sample not getting tested was NSK's screwup. The B samples were at the lab to be tested, but the brothers waived their right to have them tested; it was not the NSK's decision, it was theirs.

Regards,

Pak

[Umigame 82]

As was written somewhere before (can't find that one..) all trinkets sold in the KKan are devoid of the three Smoketeers. Calendars, pictures, etc.. no sign of them

Except here, third from the left, is Rohou:

Maybe someone who is actually there can tell us more???

The only visible trace I noticed is on the English banzuke -- not the formal banzuke, but the daily list of torikumi & banzuke that they hand out for free at the entrance.

The names of the brothers are blacked out by hand with a marker. However, the ink is not very dark so their names are clearly legible through the black marks. Quite literally have they left a black mark on the world of Sumo. (Shaking head...)

OTOH there is only a blank space where Bakanoho's name should appear--presumably he was out before the printing deadline.

On the Japanese version, there are 3 blank spaces.

[Kintamayama 45,543]

and every single one of the thousands of banzuke sold daily, plus the rikishi directory, plus......

(Thinking in depth...) (Thinking in depth...) (Thinking in depth...)

Oh come on, you know what I mean.

[Kintamayama 45,543]

As promised, the brothers went to the Russian Embassy today. Together with their lawyer, they met with the Russian Ambassador and recounted the whole sags for his benefit. According to Ben, the meeting lasted 30 minutes (other sources are saying half an hour), with the brothers declaring their innocence and asking to deal with the visa problems. They did not ask for any concrete support for their cause, but "the Ambassador said he will be supporting us!", said Rohou.

Ben Goshi is saying that if he doesn't get satisfactory answers from the Kyokai to his questions, he will demand they re-instate the brothers. If his demands are not met, he will opt for litigation.

Rohou : "I'm sooo tired..'

Hakurozan: "Darn, forgot my tie again.."

Edited June 5, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Fay 1,677]

Hey, who did the hairstyle? Another poor Tokoyama to be cautioned (Tears forming...) ?

[Kintamayama 45,543]

Hey, who did the hairstyle? Another poor Tokoyama to be cautioned (Tears forming...) ?

They were sleeping in them for the last couple of nights.

[Peeter 15]

Hey, who did the hairstyle? Another poor Tokoyama to be cautioned (I dunno...) ?

They were sleeping in them for the last couple of nights.

Do they have a cherry log under neck not to disturb mage? (Tears forming...)

[Kotoviki 16]

As was written somewhere before (can't find that one..) all trinkets sold in the KKan are devoid of the three Smoketeers. Calendars, pictures, etc.. no sign of them

Except here, third from the left, is Rohou:

Maybe someone who is actually there can tell us more???

Motoki-san painted these long before they were ousted......

no way he could throw them out, monetary suicide!

Not to mention no time to repaint them...

[Kintamayama 45,543]

The brothers are sympathizing with what Wakanohou is doing. "Watching Wakanohou's special press conference the other day, they said he seemed sincere..", said the bros' lawyer today. As for the brothers' plans for litigation: "I'd like to confer with them on the 10th or the 11th (today or tomorrow) and reach a final decision ", added the lawyer. It seems they intend to keep their names out of the yaocho trial and attempt to get themselves back into sumo by litigation.

[Barang 0]

So the brothers still are on their best behaviour and wish for return.

[Orion 431]

As was written somewhere before (can't find that one..) all trinkets sold in the KKan are devoid of the three Smoketeers. Calendars, pictures, etc.. no sign of them

Except here, third from the left, is Rohou:

Maybe someone who is actually there can tell us more???

Motoki-san painted these long before they were ousted......

no way he could throw them out, monetary suicide!

Not to mention no time to repaint them...

I mentioned them somewhere, for sure. The photograph was used in the Sports Hochi paper with an article about everything with the brothers on it being removed. AFAIK Motoki made his case and was allowed to carry on his business. (He goes to the out-of-town basho too, so he has a very good and long-standing connection with the Kyokai.)

Hakurozan is down in the Juryo section of the e-banzuke, too.

Orion

[Kintamayama 45,543]

The brothers' attorney held a press conference and announced they were suing 4 members of the Prevention convention who were running the drug test Isenoumi, Tomozuna, Hidenoyama and Chairman Oonishi for 100 million yen (50 each) for defamation of character and wrongly accusing them of drug abuse. They are claiming the tests were done carelessly, so the results are not to be taken seriously.

[Sasanishiki 57]

Two separate sports newspapers are saying "ichi oku" - 100 million - yen.

[Kintamayama 45,543]

Someday I'll learn that damn Japanese groups-of-four counting system.

My translation software never lies, sir.

[Kintamayama 45,543]

First hearing of the brothers' "temporary measures" case was held yesterday at the Tokyo district court. The lawyer says they are asking to be re-instated, but in the meantime, they are demanding to be able to to do keiko at their old heyas, and have each contacted their relevant ex-Oyakatas asking for permission to do so. They are also asking to receive their salaries till this thing is resolved. They have not cut their mages and are training with weights, it has become known. "They have told me that their shisho told them if their temporary injunction will succeed, they will have no choice but to take them back", said the lawyer. The reporter then tried to verify this with Ootake Oyakata, who totally denied it, saying he didn't know what the heck he was talking about. The brothers are living in a 300,000 yen a month rented "mansion" with their parents and their younger sister, and have effectively "eaten up" all their savings. When reminded of how Wakanohou made some "fast bucks" testifying for the Gendai, the lawyer answered. "They have no need to do that".

Edited November 28, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,543]

The brothers' lawyer hinted that they will hold a press conference this weekend to explain their situation. The preliminary hearings have started, but the trial itself will be starting on January 16th. "I'm not sure they will be testifying and we will be discussing that. I think they should testify around March or April", he said.

Edited December 2, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,543]

January 14th is the date to wait for-the trial should begin then, in the middle of the basho of course. The press conference has been postponed to fit the court date.