Yaocho by mobile scandal-

[Kotoviki 16]

I mentioned Gagamaru's name that I had read in the forum here, he was shocked, as far as what they are hearing his name has not come up yet...

Hopefully not much should be read into it. To clarify: There was a blurb in a Mainichi article that pointed out that the March 22 phone message (Enatsukasa to Chiyohakuho: "Today he'll charge strong at the tachiai.") seemed to make reference to a bout where the (unspecified in this article) opponent did not come up by name in that message nor any other, and speculated that something like this could lead to more rikishi being questioned than just the known 14, which so far were just the guys named outright + Kirinowaka. Around the same time another Mainichi article was posted with a timeline of the phone records and some annotations, and the message highlighted in the first article was annotated "the result of this day's bout was a win by Gagamaru" - but that timeline article did not make any comment about Gagamaru being in hot water because of it. I'm assuming the Mainichi was careful to split the veiled accusation on purpose.

Thanks so much for the extra clarification!!! As I had not seen his name come up anywhere else just here on the forum I thought I'd throw it out to see what he'd say. The response was very surprised!!!!

[Asameshimae 220]

There has been some speculation about the one line dealing with Shimotori.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

The special investigation committee that was hastily put together is requesting that the 14 rikishi under suspicion hand over their cell phones for analysis, and allow access to their phone and banking records. By tomorrow.

The questionnaire mentioned earlier (here's the full text in Japanese) was given out to 990 Kyokai members, of which 979 replied by today's deadline. The 11 non-responders include one oyakata, 6 rikishi, a tokoyama and 3 "clerks" (事務員 - office staff, I presume?). The latter 3 are apparently on holiday leave, while "illness and the like" is given at Mainichi as the excuse for the other 8.

Oh, and it turns out that I'm not the only one wondering if Kasuganishiki's role in the yaocho web might have been a little more major than just being one of many win-trading rikishi...nothing official on it, but lots of speculation in the news.

Edited February 4, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Peterao 3]

unfortunately more than one person said to me "I don't care because it is just entertainment, it is not a sport, it is like WWF or Pro Wrestling, it doesn't matter if it is fixed or not, just entertainment.."

That broke my heart. I didn't say anything to my sempai at work but if he watched them train and knew anything about how they train and live would he still think it is just entertainment??? He is not interested in sumo but I wish I could take him to practice to show him how they "train for entertainment.." (Holiday feeling...)

(Smoking pipe...) If you spent some time watching how a man (or a woman; what a concept!) trained to be a professional wrestler, you would say the same thing about them.

Sumo and pro wrestling are far more similar than you think. The biggest difference (IMHO) is that pro wrestling is more honest.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Posted on another thread, but relevant here as well..

[phishysensei 0]

I am not quite sure how Kiyoseumi could be involved in this scandal. He wins by henka about half of the time. I actually saw him on the street once and I was walking straight toward him and he automatically stepped to the left.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

I am not quite sure how Kiyoseumi could be involved in this scandal. He wins by henka about half of the time.

Those might be his honest bouts.

Hey, I've got the juryo videos for 2010.03 and 2010.05, maybe I should go looking for that tomorrow...

[Peterao 3]

The first jungyo cancellation is the August 8th event scheduled for Akita. "We don't think that we can obtain the fans understanding." said the akita Akita official.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Enatsukasa

[Harry 67]

Enatsukasa

The unidentified rikishi that Chiyohakuho lost to on March 22nd was Gagamaru, perhaps that is where his reference comes from?

In a message sent on March 22 last year, Enatsukasa apparently conveyed the intentions of the unidentified wrestler to Chiyohakuho, saying, "He will go straight forward and tackle with all his strength today." Later in the day, Chiyohakuho lost to the unidentified wrestler.

Gagamaru won by yorikiri.

Edited February 5, 2011 by Harry

[Kintamayama 44,354]

"It's really regrettable that such a thing has happened. To regain a bit of the lost faith from the fans we have to take firm action. It's something rikishi have done inside the dohyo, so I think it is inexcusable. The Kyokai has to think what will happen to sumo itself.. There is a lot to think and worry about ( you betcha..) and it makes me feel uneasy..". Asked about the possible cancellation of Haru: "Us rikishi always have our next basho. Regardless if it will be on, we have to continue training." Asked about the real possibility of the special committee investigating Makuuchi rikishi as well soon: "I would like to cooperate with the committee as best as I can!"

<smirk>Who is being quoted? </smirk>

Edited February 5, 2011 by Kintamayama

[yorikiried by fate 1,989]

Kaio(u)?

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Kaio(u)?

Your Lexus convertible is on its way, sir.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Mr. Ito, chairman of the special committee, is reiterating what Tomozuna oyakata said earlier today. "It's going to be a lengthy investigation-I'd say between a month and two at the earliest, if we really want to get to the core of this." Only three of the 14 suspects have openly admitted to fixing matches. "Our investigation hasn't made much progress.. Our impression is 'so, that's really true..' but without proof we can't really charge them. It's going to get increasingly difficult as we go along," added committee member Mr. Yamamoto.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Asked about the real possibility of the special committee investigating Makuuchi rikishi as well soon: "I would like to cooperate with the committee as best as I can!"

Rikishi are very cooperative people.

[Harry 67]

Asked about the real possibility of the special committee investigating Makuuchi rikishi as well soon: "I would like to cooperate with the committee as best as I can!"

Rikishi are very cooperative people.

As I'm sure you are implying, a bit too cooperative in this case :-/

[Asashosakari 18,786]

In a message sent on March 22 last year, Enatsukasa apparently conveyed the intentions of the unidentified wrestler to Chiyohakuho, saying, "He will go straight forward and tackle with all his strength today." Later in the day, Chiyohakuho lost to the unidentified wrestler.

Gagamaru won by yorikiri.

As mentioned somewhere above, the Japanese version of that Mainichi article also didn't name him outright. This companion article on the other hand was much less discreet, which was the first place I saw a reference to Gagamaru. He's since been mentioned in a Zakzak article as well, so even if the reputable papers aren't running with it, the tabloids probably will.

Since I promised to do so last night...apologies for the bad video quality, this is from before the gambling-induced upgrades:

[Harry 67]

In a message sent on March 22 last year, Enatsukasa apparently conveyed the intentions of the unidentified wrestler to Chiyohakuho, saying, "He will go straight forward and tackle with all his strength today." Later in the day, Chiyohakuho lost to the unidentified wrestler.

Gagamaru won by yorikiri.

As mentioned somewhere above, the Japanese version of that Mainichi article also didn't name him outright. This companion article on the other hand was much less discreet, which was the first place I saw a reference to Gagamaru. He's since been mentioned in a Zakzak article as well, so even if the reputable papers aren't running with it, the tabloids probably will.

Since I promised to do so last night...apologies for the bad video quality, this is from before the gambling-induced upgrades...

Sadly that looks pretty incriminating. Nothing we haven't seen hundreds of times before and the holding of the wrapped knee afterward was a nice touch but Chiyohakuho really gave that one away. Pitiful...

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Sadly that looks pretty incriminating. Nothing we haven't seen hundreds of times before and the holding of the wrapped knee afterward was a nice touch but Chiyohakuho really gave that one away. Pitiful...

I like the part where it seems to look like Chiyo is pulling Gagamaru back in after he nearly bullrushed past him...

To be fair: It's possible that Gagamaru had no knowledge of what was going to happen and this bout was a gift by a stablemate, say Kiyoseumi. Dunno how likely that is, but as we've seen this stuff doesn't always operate in a particularly straight-forward manner.

Edited February 5, 2011 by Asashosakari

[yorikiried by fate 1,989]

Kaio(u)?

Your Lexus convertible is on its way, sir.

Can you send it to Asashosakari? Rando still owes him a Porsche and I would like to keep some options!

:-/

Kaio surely got nerves...

[Kotoviki 16]

unfortunately more than one person said to me "I don't care because it is just entertainment, it is not a sport, it is like WWF or Pro Wrestling, it doesn't matter if it is fixed or not, just entertainment.."

That broke my heart. I didn't say anything to my sempai at work but if he watched them train and knew anything about how they train and live would he still think it is just entertainment??? He is not interested in sumo but I wish I could take him to practice to show him how they "train for entertainment.." :-/

(Shaking head...) If you spent some time watching how a man (or a woman; what a concept!) trained to be a professional wrestler, you would say the same thing about them.

Sumo and pro wrestling are far more similar than you think. The biggest difference (IMHO) is that pro wrestling is more honest.

If it was purely entertainment they wouldn't have to live the life they do, all together in a heya, cleaning toilets and cooking and slaving until they made sekitori. Having no personal space! Living out of small suitcases as the do at more than one heya.. having no privacy... Pro wrestlers do not have to live in a heya and work like dogs from the age of 15...

I'm not saying other sports including pro wrestling or whatever don't train hard..

Maybe what he said and what I'm thinking of is the WWF stuff my mom used to watch that looked like pure entertainment to me... didn't seem very sportish! just my own opinion...

[Babaryutaikai 1]

Well, I guess March is definitely a no-go:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110205x1.html

Bummer!

<h1 id="headline">JSA to scrap spring sumo tourney</h1> <h2 id="deck">Bout-fixing crisis leads to first ever cancellation of a 'basho' by scandal KYODO</h2>

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Well, I guess March is definitely a no-go:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110205x1.html

Bummer!

<h1 id="headline">JSA to scrap spring sumo tourney</h1> <h2 id="deck">Bout-fixing crisis leads to first ever cancellation of a 'basho' by scandal KYODO</h2>

No, it is not official yet. It's all speculation and hearsay at this time. We'll know soon enough, about eight hours from now..

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Chairman Ito of the special committee held a press conference today. I suggest trying to read between the lines.

I: "We interviewed 14 people but ran out of time. From now on we will not only investigate them but will analyze their mobile phones as well. We will be taking our time and making a strenuous effort. We intend to investigate all 70 sekitori"

Q: "Were the three rikishi who admitted their yaocho found to have done it according to your conclusion?"

I: "Yes, they have."

Q: "Did anyone else admit it?"

I: "As far as I know, no."

Q: "Did the other 11 deny any involvement?"

I: "Yes, they denied."

Q: "Will we be seeing dismissals or serious dismissals during tomorrow's meeting?"

I: "Impossible. If we dismiss them they will have no connection to the Kyokai (and then we will not be able to get to the bottom of this..)"

Q: "Did you examine the 14 suspects' bank books?"

I: "We did, but we didn't find any special problems."

Q: "Did anyone admit to yaocho in the questionnaire all sumo personnel had to fill in?"

I: "It doesn't look like it."

Q: "Haru Basho is approaching.."

I: "Nothing to do with that. I don't know about that. It's something the rijikai must decide. We will be investigating the whole affair thoroughly!!"

Special commeeting:

Edited February 5, 2011 by Kintamayama

[Asashosakari 18,786]

I: "We interviewed 14 people but ran out of time. From now on we will not only investigate them but will analyze their mobile phones as well. We will be taking our time and making a strenuous effort. We intend to investigate all 70 sekitori"

They should add all 30 or so active ex-sekitori to their interview list. I have a feeling some of the guys who were unable to stick in juryo are now wondering just how much more difficult their return path was made by the incumbents, and could have some interesting stories to tell, even if it's just hearsay if they weren't personally involved in fixed bouts.

Q: "Did you examine the 14 suspects' bank books?"

I: "We did, but we didn't find any special problems."

It's a trivial point perhaps, but the account referred to in one of the text messages from Kasuganishiki to Enatsukasa has been confirmed as his, registered in his real name.