Associação Japonesa of Sumô announced the demotion of two ranks of stable master Isegahama, former yokozuna Terunofuji, as punishment for attacking fighter Hakunofuji. The decision took place during an extraordinary council meeting held on Tóquio in this Thursday. The incident involved the disciple being punched and slapped in the face during a meeting with supporters in February. The association considered the conduct a violation of the rules against violence and also ordered a 10% reduction in salary for three months.
The compliance committee investigated the case after Isegahama Oyakata himself reported the episode. Durante the meeting, Hakunofuji, drunk, touched the body of an acquaintance of a supporter, which led to the master’s reaction. The investigation concluded that the aggression occurred clearly, although it recognized mitigating circumstances in the initial motivation.
- The demotion took Isegahama from committee member status to the lowest level of toshiyori, or elder.
- The salary reduction will be applied over the next three months.
- Stable Isegahama will now have the collective supervision of four oyakatas linked to the group.
Disciplinary decision imposes supervision on the stable
The association highlighted that violence by an oyakata is unacceptable, regardless of the reasons given. Therefore, it implemented a collective guidance system that involves the four oyakatas linked to the stable and Isegahama itself. Essa measure aims to reinforce supervision of daily activities and prevent new incidents.
Hakunofuji, considered a victim of the attack, did not receive formal punishment. Seu Inappropriate behavior towards the woman was classified as an extremely disrespectful act, but the fighter demonstrated sincere regret. Ele was given a stern warning by President Hakkaku, without other sanctions.
Reactions of those involved after the announcement of the punishment
Isegahama Oyakata spoke on Thursday afternoon at the stable located in the neighborhood of Sumida, in Tóquio. Ele appeared alongside Hakunofuji and bowed deeply to the reporters. The master admitted that violence is never justified and promised to reevaluate his actions to change his behavior in the future.
Hakunofuji also spoke during the meeting with the press. Ele regretted having caused problems for the association and image of sumo as a traditional Japanese culture. The 22-year-old fighter committed to reciprocating the support received through good results in competitions and adopting a more conscious behavior.
History of punishments for violence in sumo
The association maintains specific regulations prohibiting violence that provide for seven levels of punishment. Dismissal represents the most serious measure, followed by the recommendation of retirement and demotion. Previous Casos shows that stable masters are also responsible for oversight failures.
Two years ago, fighter Kitaseiho assaulted a junior colleague and was recommended for retirement. At the time, the then Miyagino Oyakata, former yokozuna Hakuho, was demoted by two ranks for not reporting the incident. Stable Miyagino was effectively closed and its members transferred to Isegahama.
Six years ago, former fighter Asahisato, then Nakagawa Oyakata, suffered double demotion after attacking several disciples. Gym Nakagawa was closed and most fighters were reassigned to other units. Esses precedents served as a reference for the analysis of the current case.
Profile of Isegahama Oyakata and his career in sumo
Isegahama Oyakata, born Mongólia and aged 34, is 1.92 meters tall and weighs around 180 kilos. Ele stood out for his powerful grappling style and reached the rank of ozeki in 2015. Lesões knee and diabetes kept him away from competition for periods, but he returned with determination and won the yokozuna title in 2021.
As the 73rd yokozuna, he won ten tournaments and served for more than three years as the sole holder of the top rank. Após retired at the tournament in January last year, took over the stable Isegahama in June. The stable boasts more than 30 fighters, including seven sekitori, and represents one of the sport’s premier units.
Hakunofuji career and transfer between stables
Hakunofuji, 22 years old and from the province of Tottori, won high school yokozuna titles for two consecutive years. Ele joined professional sumo after winning the national corporate league tournament and debuted in the makushita division. In his first tournament, he had seven perfect victories and quickly rose to the jury.
In the 2023 Nagoya tournament, already in the first division, he changed his name to Hakuoho and recorded 11 victories. Há Two years after the incident at the Miyagino stable, he and other fighters were transferred to the Isegahama. Apesar from an injury that temporarily demoted him, he returned to the elite and achieved a career-best ranking as East Maegashira 1 in last year’s Kyushu tournament.
This year, it adopted the name Hakunofuji, granted by the current master. At last month’s spring tournament, he competed despite the episode, but suffered an injury to his left big toe and finished with five wins, six losses and four absences.
Collective guidance measures in the stable
The association has determined that stable Isegahama will be under direct guidance and supervision during the initial period. Esse system involves collective participation of the group’s oyakatas to monitor the training and conduct of the members. The initiative seeks to ensure compliance with internal regulations and respect for the principles of traditional sumo.
Isegahama Oyakata stated that he takes the punishment received seriously and will work to regain everyone’s trust. The association reinforced that continuous guidance will be necessary to avoid repetitions of inappropriate conduct in the stable environment.
Associação Japonesa of Sumô decided to demote former Yokozuna Terunofuji, now known as Isegahama Oyakata, two ranks lower, to the lowest rank of elder, and reduce his salary as a disciplinary measure for assaulting one of his disciples. Former Yokozuna Terunofuji, now stablemaster Isegahama, was questioned by Comitê of Conformidade of Associação Japonesa of Sumô for allegedly using violence against his disciple, the top division sumo wrestler Sumô0. At an extraordinary meeting of the Sumô3 board of Sumô2 held on the 9th, the compliance committee’s investigation revealed that in February this year, during a meeting with supporters, Sumô5 punched and slapped the face of his disciple, the First division sumo wrestler Sumô6, after he, drunk, touched the body of an acquaintance of one of his supporters.
Associação Japonesa of Sumô decided to impose disciplinary measures on Isegahama Oyakata, claiming that his actions violated the association’s rules against violence and demonstrated a lack of awareness on his part as Oyakata. Essas measures include a two-level demotion, from his current status of “Member of Comitê” for the lowest level of “Toshiyori” (elder), and a 10% reduction in his salary for three months.
