Asanoyama's COVID violation suspension and comeback

[Rainoyama 1,157]

Not sure if it has been reported before but Asanoyama's punishment will be decided later according to PR chief Shibatayama. The compliance committee is still investigating.

Source  :  Nikkan https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202105270000820.html?cx_testId=66&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s

[Seiyashi 4,074]

16 hours ago, Rainoyama said:

Not sure if it has been reported before but Asanoyama's punishment will be decided later according to PR chief Shibatayama. The compliance committee is still investigating.

Source  :  Nikkan https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202105270000820.html?cx_testId=66&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s

To be precise it further says they mightn't be done even in June, which leaves Asanoyama's fate for the next month very much in limbo. We'll probably hear more about this closer to banzuke day than not.

[Kintamayama 44,886]

The compliance committee has convened today to discuss what to do with Asanoyama. The probable punishment is a few basho suspension, no intai advisory.  The decision will be passed on to Hakkaku rijicho at the next rijikai slated to be held on June 11th. Takasago Oyakata will also be dealt with as it seems he had no idea what was going on in his own heya. "It's a very complicated problem. The final decision will be made at the rijikai," said a member who wished to remain unanimous    anonymous. 

[Seiyashi 4,074]

10 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

The compliance committee has convened today to discuss what to do with Asanoyama. The probable punishment is a few basho suspension, no intai advisory.  The decision will be passed on to Hakkaku rijicho at the next rijikai slated to be held on June 11th. Takasago Oyakata will also be dealt with as it seems he had no idea what was going on in his own heya. "It's a very complicated problem. The final decision will be made at the rijikai," said a member who wished to remain unanimous    anonymous. 

If it's true that Takasago can't stay at the heya because Nishikijima is still in occupation, that's really unfair. No word on whether Nishikijima is considered to have any role in this business at all? Surely if Asanoyama has gone out as often as he has, some of it has to have happened on his watch.

You can't require Takasago to put the rikishi under CCTV surveillance or something if he can't physically be at the heya either; that's just not right too. 

Edited June 4, 2021 by Seiyashi

[themistyseas 240]

Seems a bit of a tough spot for Takasago because what's he going to say? "I knew and actually advised him it would be good for him to spend time with some hostesses?" "I knew and I told him not to go?" In either of those cases someone will be recommended to retire whether it's him or Asanoyama. So even if he had any idea, all he can say to protect himself or Asanoyama is that he didn't know, and the absolute best case scenario is if he legitimately "had no idea what was going on in his own heya."

[WAKATAKE 2,650]

Methinks that Wakamatsu might actually be glad now that he didn't get the heya. I think a lot of this blame though still rests on Nishikijima but he's not going to get any backlash because of it

[Seiyashi 4,074]

1 hour ago, themistyseas said:

Seems a bit of a tough spot for Takasago because what's he going to say? "I knew and actually advised him it would be good for him to spend time with some hostesses?" "I knew and I told him not to go?" In either of those cases someone will be recommended to retire whether it's him or Asanoyama. So even if he had any idea, all he can say to protect himself or Asanoyama is that he didn't know, and the absolute best case scenario is if he legitimately "had no idea what was going on in his own heya."

Yeah, I think you might be on to something in terms of plausible deniability. That said, Takasago is definitely going to be hit with something since that's the usual that shisho take some responsibility for their rikishi's screwups, but trying to pin it on him for not knowing when that's not within his control smacks of a dick move. I hope it's just the usual paycut and demotion.

[dingo 1,240]

4 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Yeah, I think you might be on to something in terms of plausible deniability. That said, Takasago is definitely going to be hit with something since that's the usual that shisho take some responsibility for their rikishi's screwups, but trying to pin it on him for not knowing when that's not within his control smacks of a dick move. I hope it's just the usual paycut and demotion.

It may be unfair, but that's how sumo and Japan in general works. The leader has to take responsibility, even if it was not in his power to do much about it. The leaders are supposed to instill the right values, give guidance etc so a failure of a subordinate is by extension a failure of the leader.

[Seiyashi 4,074]

3 minutes ago, dingo said:

It may be unfair, but that's how sumo and Japan in general works. The leader has to take responsibility, even if it was not in his power to do much about it. The leaders are supposed to instill the right values, give guidance etc so a failure of a subordinate is by extension a failure of the leader.

No, I get that part. My beef with the unfairness is not Takasago getting hit for something Asanoyama did, but him getting hit when Nishikijima isn't even mentioned. I don't expect Takasago to "get off" scot free as it were, because it's standard that the shisho will take a paycut for deshi shenanigans. What I cannot fathom is how Nishikijima has let this develop but no one seems to be trying to figure out if he's got a part to play. I hope it is actually being considered and the compliance committee were just being terse in their remarks to the media.

[ryafuji 811]

Just to clarify, as I'd forgotten and had to look it up, Nishikijima is the previous head of Takasago, ex-ozeki Asashio, who is still hanging around as a consultant. I recall he was similarly unaware of much that was going on with one of his previous charges, Asashoryu. 

[Kintamayama 44,886]

Verdict will be announced on June 11th, I gather.

[junsan 171]

Is there even a report, even a cheap tabloid one, implicating Nishikijima in this situation, or is this just typical message board fart-fart?

[dingo 1,240]

On 04/06/2021 at 23:16, Seiyashi said:

No, I get that part. My beef with the unfairness is not Takasago getting hit for something Asanoyama did, but him getting hit when Nishikijima isn't even mentioned. I don't expect Takasago to "get off" scot free as it were, because it's standard that the shisho will take a paycut for deshi shenanigans. What I cannot fathom is how Nishikijima has let this develop but no one seems to be trying to figure out if he's got a part to play. I hope it is actually being considered and the compliance committee were just being terse in their remarks to the media.

I get that frustration too, but imo all that counts for the Kyokai is that Tagasago was the head when this happened and that's it. From the kyokai's point of view he will have to bear responsibility, be it fair or not. 

[Gaijingai 1,565]

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/06/09/sumo/asanoyama-punishment-covid19/
 

[Seiyashi 4,074]

Ahahaha. Not message board fart-fart after all. #faithinNSKrestored

https://www.sanspo.com/article/20210610-U3JXRTBUSNL4LJZH6KJDF6J674/

Nishikijima (ex-Asashio) intends to hand in his resignation over the Asanoyama affair. The compliance committee did look askance at the heya master not being able to stay in the heya after all (i.e. they also were concerned about the propriety of Nishikijima remaining in residence to the detriment of Takasago).

Might be tough times for the stable ahead though. ex-Asasekiryu may now have to buy the entire stable outright or find new premises.

Edited June 10, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Kaminariyuki 498]

Can someone give us a short summary of the ruling? I don't yet subscribe to JT and Seiyashi's link is in Japanese where I am but a beginner. Google Translate gets most of it. Asanoyama will lose his ozeki status but I did not see the details of the punishment stated or when they would be made public. Was that info in either article?

[Gurowake 4,032]

The punishment won't be announced until tomorrow.  This was just a leaked report that Nishikijima intends to resign as part of the fallout because of his role in allowing it all to happen.

edit: Ok, it's the 11th now in Japan, but I doubt they're announcing it at midnight.

Edited June 10, 2021 by Gurowake

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,262]

There is no ruling about Asanoyama, this is only about the oyakata giving his retirement papers (he's already past retirement age and is consultant, right?)

The thing about Asanoyama is just speculation, that he went kyujo mid-basho in May, and is kadoban for July so if he can't participate he is no longer Ozeki.

[Asapedroryu 229]

42 minutes ago, Kaminariyuki said:

Can someone give us a short summary of the ruling? I don't yet subscribe to JT

You can read it by switching off the Internet once the page loads and before the pop up to login shows up. You can switch back on the Internet after 10 seconds or so.

[code_number3 698]

1 hour ago, Kaminariyuki said:

I don't yet subscribe to JT

Also, if you’re using Safari, use reading mode, as long as you haven’t scroll any page so there is no login message yet.

[junsan 171]

On the face of it, Nishikijima squatting at the heya and resigning is not the same situation as Takasago facing fire because of the Asanoyama affair.

Anyways, messy business all the same.

[Seiyashi 4,074]

28 minutes ago, junsan said:

On the face of it, Nishikijima squatting at the heya and resigning is not the same situation as Takasago facing fire because of the Asanoyama affair.

Anyways, messy business all the same.

That's true, but I'm gratified simply by the fact that someone thought some responsibility ought to lie in Nishikijima's direction, and it's a significant enough thought that Nishikijima feels he needs to offer to resign. Nishikijima doesn't strike me as the sort who would come clean without being pushed, and it's so long after the fact (and just before Asanoyama's verdict tomorrow) that it's almost certainly got to be in response to the investigation. I'm not expecting him to be censured to the same degree as Takasago, but at least someone's looking in his direction asking what part he played in all this.

Herouth and one of her followers are also discussing whether Takatoriki's goss on Nishikijima having violated guidelines while still Takasago is also interesting. It's from Takatoriki, so make of it what you will, but there's a possibility that here Takatoriki wasn't entirely blowing hot air.

Edited June 10, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Seiyashi 4,074]

2 hours ago, Kaminariyuki said:

Can someone give us a short summary of the ruling? I don't yet subscribe to JT and Seiyashi's link is in Japanese where I am but a beginner. Google Translate gets most of it. Asanoyama will lose his ozeki status but I did not see the details of the punishment stated or when they would be made public. Was that info in either article?

No ruling, this is just Sanspo reporting that Nishikijima intends to resign from his consultant position over this affair. The timing is a bit suspect, but I guess we'll find out the full details tomorrow.

2 hours ago, Tsuchinoninjin said:

There is no ruling about Asanoyama, this is only about the oyakata giving his retirement papers (he's already past retirement age and is consultant, right?)

The thing about Asanoyama is just speculation, that he went kyujo mid-basho in May, and is kadoban for July so if he can't participate he is no longer Ozeki.

Yep. Well, it's not confirmed that Nishikijima is going to resign in peace, because he might yet be fined or something, but yes this is only about him offering to resign.

[Seiyashi 4,074]

1 hour ago, Asapedroryu said:

You can read it by switching off the Internet once the page loads and before the pop up to login shows up. You can switch back on the Internet after 10 seconds or so.

Alternatively once the content loads, hit Ctrl+P and read the print preview. Pictures are a bit messy, but usually just the text is good enough.

[Asashosakari 19,138]

3 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

That's true, but I'm gratified simply by the fact that someone thought some responsibility ought to lie in Nishikijima's direction, and it's a significant enough thought that Nishikijima feels he needs to offer to resign. Nishikijima doesn't strike me as the sort who would come clean without being pushed, and it's so long after the fact (and just before Asanoyama's verdict tomorrow) that it's almost got to be in response to the investigation. I'm not expecting him to be censured to the same degree as Takasago, but at least someone's looking in his direction asking what part he played in all this.

Sanspo's article may stop short (by about one inch...) from directly implicating ex-Asashio in Asanoyama's scandal, but it's clear what its author is saying. The headline even goes all the way, as far as I can tell, but of course headlines aren't necessarily written by the article author.

Amusingly the boot was further put in gratuitously by reminding readers that Asashio was also forced to deal with scandals due to Asashoryu.