Wakanohou arrested for drug possession

[Umigame]

Another op-ed piece, from the Mainichi:

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080...0na003000c.html

"another question needs to be asked: Are stable elders and the Japan Sumo Association, who are responsible for raising youths who don't know left from right into respectable adults, providing proper guidance?"

"If youngsters who come afar to pursue their dreams in Japan have them crushed because their elders neglected their mentoring responsibilities, the future of sumo, which is already heavily dependent on foreign wrestlers, will be a bleak one."

Of course Wakanoho is responsible for his own actions, but he was still a minor by law at the time of the incident. I agree that the weight of responsibility should fall more heavily on his oyakata -- and the rijicho.

EDIT:

Let me rephrase just a bit... Scandal after scandal is popping up in sumo. I think it will be much more healthy and effective for the rijicho and oyakata to take the responsibility of getting their house in order, rather than putting the blame on any rikishi.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Umigame

[Hashira]

No info on Magaki oyakata, other than it appears he expressed his wishes to quit.

Quit sumo or quit the rijikai? If the former who gets the name I wonder? The jackals were outside the heya this morning using mini-stepladers to poke long lenses into the heya.

Just saw the news update on NHK, I believe it is to quit the rijikai

[Otokonoyama]

The word (from what I can gather with my limited reading skills) is that he has offered to resign his position as riji. The special meeting of the rijikai accepted his resignation from the board of directors. He will fall two ranks to iin. I think. Maybe.

[Asashosakari]

I think it will be much more healthy and effective for the rijicho and oyakata to take the responsibility of getting their house in order, rather than putting the blame on any rikishi.

Which rikishi were unfairly blamed during any of the recent scandals?

[sekihiryu]

Since his sumo career went down the toilet what is in store for Soslan now? no point calling him by his ring name now, it is meaningless.

Being booted out and disgraced and all I am guessing no Danpatsu-shiki at all, so what will he do? shave his head, flip the NSK the bird and get on with his life? - go to court? get deported? head back to Ossetia and a bleak future?

I am very curious and concerned for his future, what other sport in the world would 0.3grams of cannibis mean such a draconian penalty? Guess that why sumo is sumo and a unique entity unto itself.

Poor timing though Soslan, had sumo been rosy with no recent scandals, this might have slid but Tokitsuakaze oyakata and his young henchmen, Asashoryu, Toki, Kyokutenho, Roho, Toyozakura have all screwed up in past few years or so Soslan gets to be the ultimate scape goat.

[Kintamayama]

I am very curious and concerned for his future, what other sport in the world would 0.3grams of cannibis mean such a draconian penalty? Guess that why sumo is sumo and a unique entity unto itself.

Poor timing though Soslan, had sumo been rosy with no recent scandals, this might have slid but Tokitsuakaze oyakata and his young henchmen, Asashoryu, Toki, Kyokutenho, Roho, Toyozakura have all screwed up in past few years or so Soslan gets to be the ultimate scape goat.

You, of all people, missing the point? Do you think the authorities would have let this slide? This is a serious offense in Japan and is way beyond the scope of the Kyokai giving out their little punishments. He would have been too busy doing time to show up for keiko, sir..

[hidenohana]

Edit: Perhaps these posts about drugs themselves rather than wakanoho could be split into an off-topic thread by a Mod?

seconded

[Kintamayama]

had sumo been rosy with no recent scandals

Was there ever such a time?

September 3rd, 1993.

[Kintamayama]

The word (from what I can gather with my limited reading skills) is that he has offered to resign his position as riji. The special meeting of the rijikai accepted his resignation from the board of directors. He will fall two ranks to iin. I think. Maybe.

He will fall two ranks, and get this, will be attached to the EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE department.

Oh man..

[Otokonoyama]

Now THAT is ironic! Thanks for that, Moti.

By the way, discussion of drugs, crime, and the law has been split to its own topic. The link follows:

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...c=15913&hl=

[sekihiryu]

You, of all people, missing the point? Do you think the authorities would have let this slide? This is a serious offense in Japan and is way beyond the scope of the Kyokai giving out their little punishments. He would have been too busy doing time to show up for keiko, sir..

A backroom deal could have been done with the authorities, you never know, it could have been hushed as these things have been known to happen in Japan. (things other than sumo) BUT alas.....

[Kintamayama]

You, of all people, missing the point? Do you think the authorities would have let this slide? This is a serious offense in Japan and is way beyond the scope of the Kyokai giving out their little punishments. He would have been too busy doing time to show up for keiko, sir..

A backroom deal could have been done with the authorities, you never know, it could have been hushed as these things have been known to happen in Japan. (things other than sumo) BUT alas.....

I agree if we were talking shoplifting or a traffic offense or scratching one's balls in a restaurant. But drugs? I don't think so.

Now, it will be interesting to see if he gets deported immediately, or if he gets dragged into the mud as an example that no one is exempt.

Two weeks max, and we see a picture of a bald Soslan in prison gear.

I just hope he gets through this with mind intact. I hope they deport him swiftly. And I hope the others who may have strayed will take note.

[Otokonoyama]

If he's a very lucky boy, he'll go to court, be sentenced, and have that sentence suspended. Then, he will be deported.

Similar scenarios have happened before:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8...=1&catnum=0

[Murakami]

bollocks. Just hope, his post-Japan and post-sumo life will be okay. Is he 100% certain to leave Japan?

[Johnofuji]

A reliable source has confirmed Wakanoho had a live-in gal pal at his condo.

Is this his girlfriend?

[Jakusotsu]

I read about Wakanoho first on Akebono's blog. His perspective is here: http://www.akebono64.com/

(Sign of approval...) Wow, very nice words about Azumazeki there. I thought there was little love left between Chad and Jesse, but now there's at least some respect again:

Takamiyama san will be retiring next June, maybe they should keep him on as an advisor of how to be a oyakata or boss & how to take care of the foreign wrestlers.

I don

[Otokonoyama]

bollocks. Just hope, his post-Japan and post-sumo life will be okay. Is he 100% certain to leave Japan?

Dunno. If he gets a suspended sentence, like the singer in the link a couple posts back, it's remotely possible he could stay if some MMA/Pro Wrestling association snapped him up right away. I wouldn't bet on it, but who knows...

[Kintamayama]

"Foreigner in Roppongi meets Wakanohou, exchanging things which are enclosed in their closed fists"

[Otokonoyama]

The word (from what I can gather with my limited reading skills) is that he has offered to resign his position as riji. The special meeting of the rijikai accepted his resignation from the board of directors. He will fall two ranks to iin. I think. Maybe.

He will fall two ranks, and get this, will be attached to the EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE department.

Oh man..

On the five-o-clock NHK news update, after explaining how Magaki oyakata resigned his place on the rijikai, and his planned drop of two ranks, stated "sore dake muri deshou?"...

Edited August 21, 2008 by Otokonoyama

[Mark Buckton]

The word (from what I can gather with my limited reading skills) is that he has offered to resign his position as riji. The special meeting of the rijikai accepted his resignation from the board of directors. He will fall two ranks to iin. I think. Maybe.

He will fall two ranks, and get this, will be attached to the EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE department.

Oh man..

On the five-o-clock NHK news update, after explaining how Magaki oyakata resigned his place on the rijikai, and his planned drop of two ranks, stated "sore dake muri deshou?"...

無理じゃないじゃん　-　それだけ　 (Sign of approval...)

[Mark Buckton]

what might have been hey - an interview with him almost 2 years back, (top) and another just a couple of months ago (bottom).

Wakanoho - SFM

Wakanoho - TE

[Kintamayama]

"Foreigner in Roppongi meets Wakanohou, exchanging things which are enclosed in their closed fists"

You Sir of all people should know that invisible flags are perfectly legal in Japan

That's what I meant of course. What did you THINK I meant?? (Sign of approval...)

[Kintamayama]

"Foreigner in Roppongi meets Wakanohou, exchanging things which are enclosed in their closed fists"

Considering my clothes I guess I could be called "black" or even mistaken for a Russian.

Would that me me a Black Russian or a White Russian?

The reporters got it all wrong- it wasn't a "Russian and a black man', it was a "Russian dressed in black, man!".

[ryafuji]

This just in:

"Sumo Association fires wrestler Wakanoho for possessing marijuana"

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/sports/sumo/news/20...0sp015000c.html

[Kintamayama]

Magaki Oyakata spoke to the press a while ago. "I apologize to the Kyokai and to the world for causing this bother . It is really inexcusable. I was away a lot from the heya recently (rehabilitation after having brain hemorrhage-like symptoms) and that is what I regret the most. As for Wakanohou, he was generally very serious and obedient. When first heard of this I thought it couldn't be true. All I want to do now is get back to the heya and train my deshi like before", he said. When asked if he wanted to ask Wakanohou anything, he answered, "I can't think of anything right now..", looking somewhat bewildered.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Kintamayama