Asashoryu makes a tearful farewell after drinking row
Source: Agencies |
February 5, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TROUBLED sumo grand champion Asashoryu announced his retirement from the ancient sport at a tear-filled news conference yesterday, following a probe into reports of a drunken scuffle in Tokyo last month.
"I have caused great trouble to everyone, as well as to the Japan Sumo Association," the 29-year-old said, dabbing his eyes at times.
"I am taking responsibility and retiring today ... I am grateful for all those who believed in me and supported a young boy from the great plains of Mongolia."
Asashoryu has often been in hot water outside the sumo ring but is beloved by fans for his exploits in it. Japanese broadcasters flashed new bulletins with his plans to retire, later telecasting his farewell announcement.
Asashoryu, born Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, had won his 25th Emperor's Cup last month, but sumo officials took a dim view of his latest apparent breach of discipline.
The head of Asashoryu's sumo stable said at the weekend that the Mongolian grand champion had been too drunk to remember the reported incident outside a nightclub in the early hours of January 16.
Asashoryu has frequently been at odds with the sport's hierarchy during an explosive career, for everything from pulling an opponent's hair to starting a soapy bathroom brawl during a post-bout soak.
In 2007, Asashoryu was suspended after being caught playing soccer in Mongolia and forging a doctor's note for an apparent back injury.
That suspension triggered a bout of clinical depression, leading Asashoryu to seek solace at a luxury spa resort in his native country.
"He was one of the strongest in the ring and will always be compared to the legends of the sport," said Mark Buckton, editor-in-chief of Sumo Fan Magazine. "But he never really followed the expectations for the role of the sport's highest rank."
Asashoryu, often criticized by domestic media for not showing "hinkaku" - dignity - as grand champion, said yesterday his style in the ring showed his real commitment. "Everybody talks about dignity, but when I went into the ring, I felt fierce like a devil."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said that he was disappointed by the development. "I am extremely disappointed that such a grand champion is retiring under these conditions," the government spokesman said.
Asashoryu called the timing of his farewell fate.
"I think this is my destiny."
"I have caused great trouble to everyone, as well as to the Japan Sumo Association," the 29-year-old said, dabbing his eyes at times.
"I am taking responsibility and retiring today ... I am grateful for all those who believed in me and supported a young boy from the great plains of Mongolia."
Asashoryu has often been in hot water outside the sumo ring but is beloved by fans for his exploits in it. Japanese broadcasters flashed new bulletins with his plans to retire, later telecasting his farewell announcement.
Asashoryu, born Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, had won his 25th Emperor's Cup last month, but sumo officials took a dim view of his latest apparent breach of discipline.
The head of Asashoryu's sumo stable said at the weekend that the Mongolian grand champion had been too drunk to remember the reported incident outside a nightclub in the early hours of January 16.
Asashoryu has frequently been at odds with the sport's hierarchy during an explosive career, for everything from pulling an opponent's hair to starting a soapy bathroom brawl during a post-bout soak.
In 2007, Asashoryu was suspended after being caught playing soccer in Mongolia and forging a doctor's note for an apparent back injury.
That suspension triggered a bout of clinical depression, leading Asashoryu to seek solace at a luxury spa resort in his native country.
"He was one of the strongest in the ring and will always be compared to the legends of the sport," said Mark Buckton, editor-in-chief of Sumo Fan Magazine. "But he never really followed the expectations for the role of the sport's highest rank."
Asashoryu, often criticized by domestic media for not showing "hinkaku" - dignity - as grand champion, said yesterday his style in the ring showed his real commitment. "Everybody talks about dignity, but when I went into the ring, I felt fierce like a devil."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said that he was disappointed by the development. "I am extremely disappointed that such a grand champion is retiring under these conditions," the government spokesman said.
Asashoryu called the timing of his farewell fate.
"I think this is my destiny."
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