Bullying, Cabaret Clubs and other Scandals of Aflame — Find out His Comment to His Wife

I’ve done nothing but cause trouble for him. 

Atame (28, 9th rank, Nishi-maegashira), holding the tops of his eyes, in an interview under the ring immediately after his first victory in the November tournament. He was about to express his gratitude to his mentor Shikoroyama Shikoroyama (former Sekiwake Terao), who was hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat, when he became overcome with emotion.

Ahene had won back-to-back decisive matches in a three-way duel with Takayasu, the top-ranked wrestler in the east maegashira, and Ozeki Kikesho. It had been more than nine years since his first appearance in the ring in May 2013. He finally received the cup he had longed for.

Aflame’s highest rank is kobune, and he is a rikishi with enough power to be a sannyaku. Even when he faces an ozeki, he is not overpowered. It is a wonder that he has never won a tournament before.

Despite such ability, Atame was demoted to the 56th rank in the west makushita division in the March 2021 tournament. The reason for his demotion was his own problematic behavior.

He was considered a problem within the association because of his repeated troubles. First, in November 2019, he got into a prank with a good friend of his and uploaded a video showing him with duct tape around his mouth and wrists. The Internet was ablaze with accusations that it was bullying. The JSA issued a strict warning to Shikoroyama and Aflame.

This incident prompted the association to conduct a training session on SNS. However, during an interview after the training, Ahlame made a problematic comment to the press. Despite being a party to the incident, he said, “I was sleeping, so I didn’t hear anything”.

“I’m waiting for an offer… As the lead in a movie!”

Aflame is a rikishi with a spirit of service; when he won the Fighting Spirit Award in the January 2018 tournament, he made an unusual peace sign in his dressing room.

In the May 2019 tournament, he surprised everyone by saying, “I am the strongest wrestler in my hometown of Saitama. （I’m waiting for an offer (for the blockbuster movie “Tonde Saitama”). I want to play the lead role!”

It was all well and good as long as he was pleasing his fans, but if he had violated the rules, the association would not remain silent. One such example of his behavior in the March 2020 tournament caused a stir.

It was discovered that he had been going to a cabaret club several times during the tournament. At the time, the association had banned him from going out unnecessarily due to the spread of the covid-19. Furthermore, Aflame falsely reported that he went to the cabaret club twice, once before the tournament and once during the tournament. In fact, it was found that he had been to the club more than once, and the association decided to punish him severely.

The punishment handed down at the August 2020 board meeting was a suspension of three tournaments and a 50% pay cut for five months. It was not only the severe punishment that discouraged Aflame.

‘It’s a problem with my beautiful wife, whom I married in June of the same year. We’ve decided to separate. ‘The association requires that Aflame live in a room for the sake of education and admonition. The association did not allow him to live as a newlywed, and urged him to reflect on his situation.

After the punishment was lifted, Atame resumed his career in the March 2021 tournament, starting from the 56th rank in the west makushita division. After a string of whitewashes, he re-entered the tournament in July of the same year. His big mouth had faded away, and he continued to make auspicious comments, saying, “All I can think about is working hard.” What changed him?

He was always sincere in his attitude toward sumo, even if he was a bit of a rascal in his words and actions. Seeing his master bowing and apologizing to the association and all those involved for his sake, his behavior outside the ring also changed. He must have felt more sorry for the trouble he had caused his benefactor.

He also felt guilty towards his wife for making her feel lonely right after their wedding. His wife is a married woman. After the series of disturbances, she did not coddle him, but scolded him, saying, “It seems that Kosuke-kun (his real name) is a good player, but it’s not good enough, is it?”

He overcame adversity to win his first championship. Finally, he was able to repay his mentor and his beautiful wife, who had continued to support him, and he was able to finally bring home a good news.