I deleted my previous account of the Michinoku issue because there were some mistakes on my part, and in any case, at was only the Michinoku/Hanakago side. In any case, I still owe y'all the gory details. So here we go.

(1/14) This scandal broke on May 9th, when Daily Shincho, a tabloid, published it, with the victim, Yasunishi, going public in name and photo, and naming his assailant.

(2/14)

So here is the full story at the bottom of Isegahama's resignation from the board of executives of the NSK, and let me tell you, I'm disappointed in him.

(1/11)

nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne… The matter came to the knowledge of the NSK via a family member of a rikishi, who phoned them to complain that he was injured via bullying. This was on November 7th. The next day the rikishi himself phoned as well.

(2/11)

This Ichinojo story has been circulating for a few months already, but only in the dark recesses of trash YouTube, but now it is being published by Sankei Sports, and that's a mainstream newspaper, so I guess it's serious.

(1/7)

sanspo.com/article/202211… Apparently Ichinojo has a drinking problem. A source related to the heya says he's been known to give other customers trouble, and to have raised hands to the heya's okami-san (master's wife). The source says they have seen the actual bruises.

(2/7)

The punishment recommendations of the Compliance Committee w.r.t Hidenoumi and Shiden:

Hidenoumi: One basho suspension
Shiden: No suspension

Note these are only recommendations and the board may decide differently.

(1/4)

nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne… Sources close to the Saitama police investigation say the two admitted to gambling, but only on small sums, visiting the place a few times, and no indictment is expected.

(2/4)

OK, so as previously stated, Hakuho is now Magaki oyakata, but he had to sign a written oath. If he breaks it, his status as an oyakata will be back in the hands of the Toshiyori Qualification Judgment Committee.

(1/6)

daily.co.jp/general/2021/0… The NSK had him sign a document where he vows that "As a beginner oyakata he will obey the chairman and his sempai oyakata's orders and follow their guidance, and sincerely perform the duties assigned to him during honbasho"

(2/6)

More details about the Hakuho controversy are exposed in this article in "Daily Sports".

Apparently, the Toshiyori Committee wants to set a condition on his succession to Magaki, limiting his ability to own a heya.

(1/7)

daily.co.jp/general/2021/0… When he applied for the Magaki kabu in May, the committee objected, citing the three recent occasions he was disciplined (Banzai and sanbon-jime in yusho speech, being part to the Harumafuji incident), as well as lapses of judgments such as the monoii of his own match.

(2/7)

And another thread about Day 3 of the combo practice. Hakuho showed up. But with the departures of Shodai, Takayasu and Mitakeumi, he was the only member of the named ranks present.

(1/15)

nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne… He did not practice sumo, focusing instead on basic exercise. He also gave butsukari to Takanosho (Makuuchi/Tokiwayama beya) and Kaisho (Juryo/Asakayama beya).

(2/15)

OK, here are some news from the combo practice, mostly days 2 and 3. I assume most of you watched Day 1 live, so you know most of the stuff, but maybe you missed out on Shodai getting grilled by Kasugano oyakata, who didn't like his weak butsukari and his chatter.

(1/15) Shodai, having injured his arm in the practice, has since bowed out of the practice.

So on to other stories, start with Enho:

Contrary to day 1, his day 2 practice had better results.

(2/15)

nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne…

More about the former Nishikijima oyakata, old Asashio (I'm thinking we had news today of both Asahisho and Asashio, don't mix them. Asahisho is a fun guy we can hope will stay in the NSK a long time, Asashio is the previous Takasago oyakata)

(1/6)

tokyo-sports.co.jp/sports/sumou/3… So as it turns out, the man has been going out to dinners with supporters, as if COVID didn't even exist. Moreover, he took Asanoyama and/or tsukebito with him. This went on since last July, about 2-3 times a week.

(2/6)

So here are this basho's words of wisdom from the YDC.

(Reminder: The YDC is an advisory body to the NSK, charged with preserving the heritage and dignity of Yokozuna.)

(1/10) First item on the menu: Terunofuji. "There have been words of praise for him for making this comeback after falling to the abyss. He has captured the hearts of the fans".

(2/10)

nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne…

So while we are enjoying (or despairing of) sumo, the tabloids are picking some more Asanoyama smut.

According to one of them, the reason Asanoyama came to admit his deed was not the fact that there were photos in the Bunshun article.

(1/6) After some details didn't look right in his story, they re-questioned him, in the presence of a lawyer, who told him "If you are as innocent as you say, let us check your smartphone". So he let them. And there was location history there.

(2/6)

Natsu 2021, Day 12, yusho arasoi:

Makuuchi:

11-1 Terunofuji
10-2 Takakeisho
9-3 Endo

Juryo:

10-2 Chiyonoo
9-3 Ura, Tohakuryu, Bushozan

(1/5) Lower divisions:

Makushita:

6-0 Abi, Dewanoryu

Sandanme:

6-0 Kotodaigo, Atamifuji, Ishizaki

Jonidan:

6-0 Murayama, Senho, Kotomaeda

Jonokuchi:

6-0 Fujiseiun, Suguru

(2/5)

The Compliance committee and mainstream media may have filed the Shikihide scandal under "Move along, nothing to see here", but the story keeps rolling. The problem is - only on sensationalist rags, and outraged twitter accounts.

(1/8)

#ShikihidoiOkamisan More stories leak. There is even this screenshot from the heya's LINE group, where the Okamisan informs that to protect against privacy violations, phone calls on the heya's line will be recorded.

(Maybe I'm not parsing this right, it sounds like a contradiction in terms)

(2/8)

Ah, the tales of Shikihide's okami-san make it to Nikkan Sports (which is not usually a gossip outlet). Well, sunlight is the best disinfectant. Here are the stories.

(1/7)

nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne… One I have heard before is that she diverted the new rice the heya received from supporters to her own household, and left the 4 years old rice for the rikishi to eat.

(A footnote mentions that rice is usually good for a few months under normal storage conditions)

(2/7)

Bravo, Shikoroyama oyakata. Abi is not returning this basho.

Turns out it was his second outing to a "place of entertainment". He also went just before the basho (which explains how he has a fever now).

(1/4)

nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne… Shibatayama oyakata says Shikoroyama decided not to let him return. "There are no extenuating circumstances, he should not come in contact with others".

(2/4)

More details about newly wed Abi.

The lady is from his own home town (Koshigaya, Saitama), and is 3 years his junior. "She knew me in school but I didn't know her".

[Definite "notice me sempai" theme here. Wara.]

(1/8)
nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/ne… She was introduced to him by a common acquaintance. "She knows many people I know so it was easy to talk to her". They have been going out for 3 years (since he got the Makushita yusho).

(2/8)