A champion in sumo wrestling has been demoted to the lowest rank and forced to take a pay cut after one of his students reportedly assaulted other wrestlers.
Hakuho Sho was demoted to the lowest rank for sumo elders and forced to take a pay cut following the investigation.
His student protege, Hokuseiho Osamu, admitted slapping the faces of subordinates and hitting them with a broom handle. Hakuho has come out to apologize, saying he takes responsibility.
An investigation was launched after a tip-off on social media last month, NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster reports.
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Hokuseiho also reportedly slapped junior wrestlers’ backs and testicles and set insecticide spray alight towards them, The Japan Times reports.
The 22-year-old said: “I deeply regret having used violence against my stablemates.”
Hokuseiho had a successful and promising career, winning his first 21 matches. The Mongolia native pulled out of sumo tournaments earlier this year after suffering a knee injury, this was around the same time the allegations surfaced.
Local media report the sumo association have accepted Hokuseiho’s offer to retire from the sport.
Hakuho, his mentor, and also from Mongolia, won a record number of sumo titles in his career. He retired three years ago and in 2022 took command of his sumo stable. He oversaw young wrestlers’ training and became known as stablemaster Miyagino.
Being demoted in rank is seen as the third most severe punishment for sumo elders, following recommendations for retirement and dismissal.
