Fans Divided on Asashoryu’s Return
{mosimage}Asashoryu has been practicing intensely since he returned to Japan and has been competing in various sumo exhibitions to please his fans. However, it seems that Japanese sumo fans are split into two groups – one group welcomes him back to the ring, while the others are skeptical.
Asashoryu has been practicing intensely since he returned to Japan and has been competing in various sumo exhibitions to please his fans. However, it seems that Japanese sumo fans are split into two groups – one group welcomes him back to the ring, while the others are skeptical. The Japanese media did a survey and asked whether or not they wanted Asashoryu back on the ring. Many said he should study Japanese culture again. Although, they noted, that he is still young and making an effort. Hiroshi Hasebe, a 37-year-old sumo fan welcomed him back and is not skeptical about Asashoryu’s behavior. “I think he can come bAsashoryu has been practicing intensely since he returned to Japan and has been competing in various sumo exhibitions to please his fans. However, it seems that Japanese sumo fans are split into two groups – one group welcomes him back to the ring, while the others are skeptical. The Japanese media did a survey and asked whether or not they wanted Asashoryu back on the ring. Many said he should study Japanese culture again. Although, they noted, that he is still young and making an effort. Hiroshi Hasebe, a 37-year-old sumo fan welcomed him back and is not skeptical about Asashoryu’s behavior. “I think he can come back,” he said. “He’s still a wrestler, and playing soccer is not illegal so he can do whatever he wants. Japanese people are sometimes too conscious of the status of sumo.” Some people are responding like him and others have a different point of view.
A sumo fanatic responded directly to the question. She said that she personally would never welcome him back. Some of the people also believe that the Mongolian champion has not properly apologized to the Japanese people. Nevertheless, the most common answer from both old and young generations is that he must learn the Japanese culture. But it is certain that the dynamic wrestling style of Asashoryu will make the New Year tournament more interesting.
In addition to Asashoryu’s story, a committee dedicated to preventing another death of a young wrestler, was formed by the Japan Sumo Association. On December 13, some of its members observed the training at the Takasago stable, which is Asashoryu’s stable. The members saw how the champion practiced with younger wrestlers. One of the committee members said: “I didn’t even think about them. I just went all out as usual.” After observing the training, the committee members met with Takasago, the stable master and talked about the stable’s training habits and training behaviour of the wrestlers at the stable.
Later that day, Hakuho, the other Mongolian sumo champion welcomed his older “brother” to train with him. Kumogatani, who is Hakuho’s instructor said:” If no one else will have him, he should come here. He can practice with our Yokozuna all he wants.” Hakuho seemed to agree with his stable master. Recently Tomozuna’s stable did not want him to train at this stable when asked. The stable master said that Asashoryu’s rough training style is not accepted at this stable. There is some unofficial information that the stable master denied due to his bad relations with Asa’s stablemaster, Takasago.
On the same day the sumo authorities announced the wrestlers are now banned from appearing in any television shows during the holiday season in Japan. During the New Year season, Japanese television has many comedy specials and it is almost a tradition that sumo wrestlers take part in these programs. But the JSA feels that because of the death of the young wrestler, Tokitaizan, it would not be right for the wrestlers to appear in the comedy shows.
Takasago, who leads the PR division for the JSA, commented, “We really want to avoid having multiple wrestlers on the same program just goofing around. In the case of a serious program like a documentary, the rikishi may take part.
Written by G.Ganbayar
The UB Post
