Former Hakurozan Interview

[wanderer 159]

Hakurozan'a interview with russian sumo site. Very interesting.

I am neither Russian nor English native speaker. So, I apologize if there is any mistranslation. Anyone who has better Russian can have a look at http://www.japan-sumo.ru/hakurozanjan2009.html.

Ok here is interview:

Hakurozan: The most hurting of all is that this is done by some of the people whom we considered our family.

Q> What do you think are the chances for you to return to Sumo Association through the court?

A< We will fight till the end in order to return to professional Sumo, to relieve ourselves from convictions for what we did not commit. We believe that the court will defend our case. I was 19 years old when I came to Japan to do professional sumo. My entire youth has been spent here. We can not imagine our lives without sumo. It could have been very upsetting, though understandable, if they came to me and told me that the Sumo Association no longer needs me due to my poor performance. In contrast, we have been framed and convicted for what we have never done. The most hurting of all is that this is done by people whom we considered as our family.

Q> How the marijuana test proceeded?

A< We could have been more cautious if we knew the slightest that a trap is being prepared for us. The test procedure was the following. Yokozuna, and Ozeki went to the cabins first, followed by sekiwake, kumusubi and mageshira. I know that yokozuna and ozeki haven

[Barang 0]

Thanks for translation. I suppose that it will be difficult to get back to ozumo for Hakurozan and Roho.

[Jejima 1,082]

Thank you for the translation - very interesting to read.

[kame 0]

Thanks for the translation! Somehow the image of Kitanoumi on the floor kneeling to Hakurozan just doesn't stick. Didn't someone say the use of marihuana among Russian youths is common? Hakurozan said they didn't even know how it smells... but they sure know it has a peculiar smell.

Edited January 20, 2009 by kame

[Sasanishiki 57]

We closely follow forum discussions and very thankful for your concerns over our fate.

Maybe they are reading our forum? (Being ill...)

[Bilu 0]

My guess:

They may indeed have been framed by the Kiokai - after Wakanoho admitted to smoking with THEM.

Regardless, I sure don't miss them. The sumo world is better without them - on or off the dohyo.

[Jonosuke 28]

Thanks for the translation.

While I am aware of many of his assertions (they have been reported variously in those weekly magazines we don't consider top notch) but it was nevertheless interesting to know Hakurozan is making them as well.

I don't know if there was an actual plot to bring down Kitanoumi from his chairman's position but he was a lot to be desired as the chairman. Not exactly a fan of Hakurozan's sumo I think he was a pretty decent guy, never making any troubles up to the point when he was tested positive. In the interview there was no question asked to him whether he really smoked marijuana in California but I suppose from his point of view it is a moot point as he always insisted he never smoked it or not even know if he stumbled on it.

While there is absolutely no chance of him and Roho permitted back to the Kyokai, the Kyokai definitely reacted too harshly in handling of their case. The reason I don't believe in the conspiracy theory (about his name being printed on the specimen bottle) is the fact that the Kyokai never had any "penalty" or appropriate response if they found anyone who was using it prior to the testing date. In fact they stated that they would not disclose any rikishi's name if they found him to be using a steroid of which they were testing for. A marijuana testing was added at the last minute after Wakanoho was arrested for carrying it.

Regardless the Kyokai cannot deny their severance money Roho and Hakurozan are entitled to it if they have dismissed them permanently. After all both have not been charged nor arrested for their "offense". In my view a suspension was more appropriate measure.

[HenryK 38]

Very interesting reading, and by no means implausible.

[Shomishuu 0]

Thanks for the translation! Somehow the image of Kitanoumi on the floor kneeling to Hakurozan just doesn't stick. Didn't someone say the use of marihuana among Russian youths is common? Hakurozan said they didn't even know how it smells...

Good observation. The image is hard to picture for me as well, and since the translation at least, does paint a graphic image in the mind, it makes one wonder about all the other specifics described in the account.

Maybe it's a knee-jerk reaction to think, "You can't make this stuff up," but if you have professional help and enough time, it's not that hard.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Shomishuu