Sign in to follow this  
Jonosuke

Asashoryu Admitting His Divorce

Recommended Posts

Asashoryu made it official today that he divorced his wife after months of speculation when he would do so as his strained relationship with his wife was rather an open secret for some time despite some heated denials from some.

"We talked to each other numerious times and it's our conclusion. I had decided to announce it at tims time as I have missed winning the yusho at the Haru and Natsu Basho and I want to concentrate solely on the upcoming Nagoya Basho," Asashoryu wrote in his own blog on July 6.

He admitted he divorced his wife "this year". He and his former wife have a boy and a girl but she has not been seen in Japan for quite some time.

According to Nikkan Sports news, he completed all paper work and processing in Mongolia prior to the Natsu Basho. Appanently in Mongolia, it is generally accepted the couple to go through a 2 year "cooling period" prior to formal divorce and it all sounds plausible that they made it official this year as rumours of their marital problems have been surfacing for over the last two years.

Source: Asashoryu Offical Blog by His Manager

Edited by Jonosuke

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Asashouryuu refused to answer the press' questions on this subject. "It's a private affair", he said. During keiko at Takasago this morning, his manager apologized to the assembled 30 odd persons of the media and relocated them about 40 meters from the dohyo. Asashouryuu mostly lent his chest to the lower rankers and his leadershipish voice was heard from far and wide, muscles glistening in the sun, apparently.

20090707k0000m040042000p_size5.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

"I can understand a rikishi announcing this kind of thing during his "off" time a week after a basho, but to announce a thing like that on a blog at this time (six days before a basho)?? Inexcusable!! He's not some entertainer, so announcing this on a blog"??

Now, who said that?

A. Ms. Uchidate

B. Mr. Oonishi, ailing head of the anti-drug department

C. ex-Rohou

D. Kaikitsune Makoto

E. KaioU

F. Cartoonist Jack Misery (Yaku Mitsuru)

G. Musashigawa Rijicho

H. Dr. Honda, Asa's foreskin specialist doctor

I. Britney Spears

Not allowed to participate: Jonosuke, Asashosakari, Otokonoyama, Sasanishiki, Madorosumaru and Orion..

Edited by Kintamayama

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hah, I got it wrong on my first guess anyway. For what it's worth, the YDC's Ishibashi found somewhat more diplomatic words: "It's very difficult to understand that this announcement was made so close to a basho..."

Apparently the divorce had been under discussion since last year, was agreed-upon this past January and the paperwork eventually signed in April. (Running off to check the date stamps on some of the aforementioned denials now...)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In true tabloid style there are reports that Asa has a Mongolian lover who he has been seeing since February last year. This is the main reason for his divorce, the Daily Sports said this morning. There is a chance he will re-marry.

Meanwhile, Asa's (ex-)wife will have custody of the children and he will pay for their upbringing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It must be the first for any rikishi to announce his divorice on his own blog but basically he had to do it quickly as he has been told that one of those weekly magazines was coming out with the story this week, this time not just rehashing rumours but based on facts.

There have been quite a bit of unsubstantiated reports of Asashoryu beating his wife as well as Asashoryu seen with other women in the past couple of years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The divorce was demanded by Yokozuna Asashouryuu, say the papers today. He was the one who decided his wife would return to Mongolia with their two children, back in March 2007. Reason given-"women problems". "The problems started after their glorious wedding reception back in August 2004. Asashouryuu started going out on all- nighters, and some nights , especially during Tokyo bashos, didn't return home to sleep. As their quarrels increased, he decided to send her back home", said someone who knows. His wife, reluctantly returning home, was torn between reconciliation efforts and divorce demands. They spoke for hours on the phone. Their relationship took a turn for the better when he was "exiled" to Mongolia after the soccer affair. She even drove him to the airport when he returned to Japan. But the rumors of his womanizing did not subside. There was a rumor that when he went on holiday to Hawaii before the 2008 Haru basho, he was accompanied by the daughter of a wealthy Mongolian friend, who was seen earlier at his yusho parry at the heya after Hatsu. She looked so much like his wife that some journalists were convinced it was her. Still, his wife was still hoping that their family will get over this crisis.In January, she was served with divorce papers, but did not sign them. "I really wish she would sign them quickly and send them off to the authorities!", demanded Asashouryuu. She finally signed them in April. Papers are summing that a new wedding may not be far away.

The settlement:

His wife gets custody of the children, and will be paid $2000 a month for their upbringing until the youngest turns 18. Additionally, she will receive two "mansions" in Mongolia, one in town and one in the suburbs, worth 100 million yen.

Reactions:

Ex-wife: "I was shocked that he revealed the story and am in a complicated state.. It's been two years since our separation. We had a lot of discussions about what to do during that time. I believed we could be back together again, but it ended in divorce. Still, all my memories of our life in the sumo world are good. I especially want to thank the Okamisan for her kindness. For now, all I want from the Yokozuna is that he continue being a good father to his children, who adore him. I have started a new career as a model. Given the chance, I hope to one day return to my beloved Japan and perhaps work there. I have caused many people worry and bother with this affair, but I hope they will not forget me from here on.."

Hakuhou: "I've known about this for a while. The Yokozuna has been looking refreshed lately", suppressing a smile.

Harumafuji: "This is a private affair, so no comment".

Takasago: "He phoned me and told me of his intention of going public with the divorce. I told him that if that is what he wanted, he should go ahead. I've never been divorced, so I can't give him any advice. As for you lot (the journalists), your coming here in droves and making a lot of noise is disrupting our training, so please try to go about your business quietly..'

Yaku Mitsuru: See poll above.

Better days:

sp-090707-02-ns-big.jpg

Edited by Kintamayama

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I would have kicked him out much earlier (Holiday feeling...)

It was an open secret for 1 1/2 years now, despite some people telling all the time how hamonious everything is.

But it's his private affair, a lot of matrimony fail. I hope he will be a good father and care for his kids. What makes me wonder is that his wife apologizes for causing "many people worry and bother with this affair". That's only natural in her situation I think. But what know I ...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Reactions:

Ex-wife: "I was shocked that he revealed the story and am in a complicated state.. It's been two years since our separation. We had a lot of discussions about what to do during that time. I believed we could be back together again, but it ended in divorce. Still, all my memories of our life in the sumo world are good. I especially want to thank the Okamisan for her kindness. For now, all I want from the Yokozuna is that he continue being a good father to his children, who adore him. I have started a new career as a model. Given the chance, I hope to one day return to my beloved Japan and perhaps work there. I have caused many people worry and bother with this affair, but I hope they will not forget me from here on.."

品格

that's true, more than he shows

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Well, I would have kicked him out much earlier ;-)

Hehehehe.......me too (Nodding yes...)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
F'in Mitsuru!

EDIT: having now danced my victory in an easy quiz...

About the apology, it's a classic Japanese public apology for doing nothing wrong.

She has definitely learned (internalized) a lot more than he has about the culture. Even if it was only a "smart move" intended to further her future career opportunities by setting up a good PR background in Japan.

Btw, I am not pretending to know whether or not she is genuine, more of a comment on that type of apology in general.

Edited by kaiguma

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't recall any of this sort of thing taking place when Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor split...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Asashouryuu is well annoyed. His ex-wife may be planning to arrive in Japan after Nagoya, and a press conference telling her side is a real possibility. "There may be an opportunity for me to talk about this after Nagoya", were her words. Asashouryuu's camp fears that she will be under heavy pressure by the press to disclose more details about the divorce. As she is trying to make it in her new profession as a model in Japan as well, she may use this golden PR opportunity to her advantage. If he said the reason he went public with this now was that he wanted to concentrate on Nagoya, he has another thing coming, it seems.

Edited by Kintamayama

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If it hasn't become a topic already, I can see this dominating the wide shows in Japan, particualrly if she gives a press interview. They will be putting the two sides of the story against each other, raking up all sorts of gossip and getting Tom, Dick and Harriet to come in and talk about divorces of geino-jin (entertainers).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

And if this really happens, she will be asked scandalous questions as well I guess...remember the hot topics over the last 3 years...

(Holiday feeling...)

Hurt ex-wife of the bad Yokozuna, a pure, kawaii and very pretty girl...this story will be sold quicker then 焼きチースケーキ....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry, let me correct myself. I don't necessarily think that his wife will spill a lot of secrets (although she may) but I can still see it turning into a much debated media scandal. I can see the scenario going something like this:

The ex-wife (tamir, is it?) turns up in Japan and is asked something by a reporter or arranges a press statement/conference. She says a lot of bland things like she is upset, they had hard times like any couple, had hoped for reconciliation, is focussing on her children, wishes that that yokozuna continues to be a good father and role model, wishes him best in his sumo career, says how pround she has been of him, etc. Nothing controversial there, except when it gets raked over the coals by the wide shows. they will play parts of that, juxtapose it with his comments (largely no coment), get a whole panel of people into the studio to comment on this. this group will probably include Terry Ito, maybe Demon Kogure (although he strikes me as being a little classier than that) and they will bounce around all sorts of amateur psychology and psychiatry. There will be liberal doses of gossip added, such as other women, and there we have programming for at least a couple of days (brought up from time to time as a new source of 'information' contributes. Suddenly the media circus has gotten out of control while the protagonists themselves have done little but get divorced.

I'm sure if it pans out like this then our faithful on-the-ground reporters will let us know what is happenng on Japanese TV.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ya know, all of this could have been prevented. Stupid, stupid and stupid.

Was the theme song at their wedding (in tribute to Asa), "If I Only Had A Brain"?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My thoughts exactly!!!

No matter what she says it will be twisted around by the scandal seeking mass media so that they can keep it alive & a hot topic for as long as they can.

It doesn't matter who did what or what the rumors are. Only the two of them know the truth. Divorce isn't so easy no matter what the circumstances are then add the mass media and you have a circus.

I am sorry for both of them that they can't just have their private lives private & work out their problems between themselves!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Not allowed to participate: Jonosuke, Asashosakari, Otokonoyama, Sasanishiki, Madorosumaru and Orion..

Insulted

Why? I wanted you to win!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Why? I wanted you to win!!

I am gachinko

I am more chinko. At least, I used to be.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am more chinko. At least, I used to be.

Thanks for new word! (In a state of confusion...)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I am sorry for both of them that they can't just have their private lives private & work out their problems between themselves!

I agree with the point of view of Sasanishiki and you. But still the above is not quite right. If she wanted more than everything to protect her private life, she wouldn't go for an entertainment career in Japan. Even without anything "hot" around her, she should know that she would be a center of attention with the profession of a model. And I think she has considered that, even maybe relaying on it as a career boost. Of course, I am not saying that this all will turn into making money by selling the secrets of her private life with Asashoryu - but she should be well aware that such interest will come as part of the profession she has chosen.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Thanks for new word! (In a state of confusion...)

It's the oldest word in the book.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Why? I wanted you to win!!

I am gachinko

I am more chinko. At least, I used to be.

Get your hands out of your pockets! (In a state of confusion...)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In a way I wasn't surprised to see her side of the story came out so quickly. She may have more friends in Japan than Asashoryu may have counted on but then a lot of media types are often waiting to seize on Asashoryu's misery. There are quite a bit of ambivalent attitude towards Asashoryu.

The current Magaki oyakata, Yokozuna Wakanohana II divorced his wife while he was still active if I recall. Considering who his wife was, it was a big sumo story but not registered as much elsewhere. There were loud craziness going on while both Takanohana and Wakanohana III were yokozuna and in fact Wakanohana III divorced his wife but long after he left Ozumo.

Still Asashoryu keeps making more off-dohyo news than almost all of rikishi I have known of at least in the last twenty years. So the writers covering him know he can sell lots of copies of their papers and magazines. But at least to the writers, he has been remarkably abrasive and more often than not he was downright nasty to them. It's their job to cover him but certainly many of them do not enjoy all the insults and brash behavior he continued to heap on. There is a saying that you should not throw (expletive deleted) while you are climbing up the ladder as you are bound to get them when you are coming down and it applies perfectly to Asashoryu. Now that he has shown not to be totally invincible on the dohyo he is really hearing from them, even including from Mainoumi who was once told he didn't deserve a response from the yokozuna as he has never been in the level he was in.

So the writers were quick to tell his wife's side despite her being in Mongolia. According to a report she operates a chain of beauty salons in Mongolia and she has proved herself to be as good in business as Asashoryu whose family members operate certain business for him as the Kyokai forbids active rikishi from operating business outside Ozumo.

Just like Asashoryu, she knows she can make far more money in Japan as well and with interested investors on her side she can be as successful in Japan as well. On her own she can get a book of her "story" out and certainly she should sell as many copies as other Asashoryu related books (at least she should outsell his doctor's book or Asashoryu in Mongolia outback book). As her Japanese ability is rather limited she may not be a darling of TV wides shows but she should do well in other endeavors if she so wishes but she should be aware of being a media celebrity solely on her ex's notoriety as it can become a double edge sword which she comes to regret later.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this