The Japan Sumo Association’s Surprising Impatience in Addressing the Hakuho Bullying Incident

A stablemaster who openly objected to the Mongolian yokozuna

There was someone who clearly voiced dissent against former active wrestler Miyagino-oyakata. It was Kisenosato oyakata, who retired from the Sumo Association in 2018. During his active days, he openly criticized Yokozuna Hakuho, who accumulated victories while delivering moves like slaps and elbow thrusts that resembled lifting techniques.

“Sumo is not about injuring your opponent. It’s about facing your opponent and continuing to win by accepting their attacks.”

But that’s not all. At that time, Kisenosato oyakata was also harsh towards former Yokozuna Asashoryu, who had established himself as a legendary figure among Mongolian-born wrestlers. It all started with a certain incident.

In the 2009 New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, after winning, Asashoryu held the “Mongolian national flag” in his left hand while riding on the open car used for the victory parade.

“Kisenosato oyakata was extremely furious about this action. He mentioned that Japanese wrestlers had never held the Hinomaru (Japanese national flag) and ridden on an open car. Wrestlers from Hawaii had never been so arrogant. The stablemasters of those stables must teach sumo properly. (Mongolian wrestlers) might not understand it in one or two years.”

Takanohana oyakata had persistently refused to accept Mongolian-born wrestlers into his stable, but in 2008, he welcomed Mongolian-born Takanoiwa as the first foreign wrestler in the stable. There was a reason for this decision, as revealed by Takanohana oyakata himself.

“That child (Takanoiwa) lost his mother (the late Altangerel, aged 46) at the age of 8, and his father (the late Adiya, aged 64) when he went to Tottori for sumo training at the age of 16. He’s been through a lot of hardships. After seeing Takanoiwa’s training attitude during the summer training camp at the stable (Takanohana stable), I allowed him to join.”

Takanoiwa worked hard and patiently endured, becoming the first sekitori from the Takanohana stable. Ironically, he became a victim of the “Harumafuji assault incident” in 2017. At that time, Takanohana oyakata, who was the head of the regional tour department, was dismissed from his position as director for “failing to report to the Sumo Association and repeatedly refusing to cooperate with the Crisis Management Committee’s investigation,” which was considered a breach of his fiduciary duty as a director.

Furthermore, Takanoiwa himself retired later after assaulting his attendant. When Yokozuna Hakuho, who was present at the time of Takanohana oyakata’s retirement, heard about it, he solemnly replied,

“I wish he had guided us more. Even for myself.”

Isegahama oyakata (former Yokozuna Asahifuji), who took responsibility for accepting the Miyagino stable, reportedly advised Miyagino oyakata (Takanohana) to “meet the parents (of the disciples)” and go on an apology tour for this issue. Additionally, a Sumo Association insider reveals,

“Along with Asahayama oyakata, who is also a director in the same group, these two oyakata will report on Miyagino oyakata’s actions to the executive committee. The possibility of reviving the Miyagino stable is not zero, but it all depends on the judgment of Director Yokozuna.” 

There are four years left until Director Yokozuna’s retirement. Can he raise a successor whom he can confidently pass the baton to? Can Miyagino oyakata, who transferred to the Isegahama stable, endure the “unfair treatment” from the Sumo Association? And will the Miyagino stable be revived? In any case, starting from Miyagino oyakata’s new life in the Isegahama stable, which began with the move, his future remains closely watched.