Asashoryu Akinori

A company linked to Dagvadorj/Asashoryu and his family took control of the Mongolian National Circus through a privatisation subject to conditions requiring it to retain its cultural purpose. Officials, performers and media later accused the owners of diverting or degrading its use and keeping it closed for a prolonged period.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Asashoryu was accused of assaulting a man during a night out in Tokyo while intoxicated. Despite a private settlement, the case prompted intense pressure from the JSA, and he announced his retirement.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Shukan Gendai accused Asashoryu and other wrestlers of fixing bouts. Asashoryu denied the allegations and sued the publisher alongside the Japan Sumo Association.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Protagonist is the complainant

Asashoryu repeatedly celebrated victories with raised fists or very conspicuous gestures of joy, prompting criticism from the Yokozuna Deliberation Council.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Criticism by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following the arrest of a man suspected of threatening him, Asashoryu joked to the press that he would kill him. The next day, he played down or rephrased the remark and strongly pressed a journalist to correct the quotation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Personally implicated

Asashoryu played golf with several Mongolian wrestlers shortly before a tournament, including Kakuryu, his scheduled first-day opponent. The JSA criticised the appearance created by this closeness.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

A photographer accused Asashoryu of directing a violent insult amounting to a threat at him. The matter made headlines.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After a bout against Hakuho, Asashoryu delivered an additional shove after the action had finished, provoking a reaction and prolonged face-off. Both yokozuna were reprimanded.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Asashoryu missed morning training on tour after an evening of drinking, prompting renewed criticism of yokozuna discipline.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After defeating Kisenosato, Asashoryu gave him a small kick or knee strike while he was on the ground. An official publicly criticised the behaviour.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Several training partners were injured during sessions with Asashoryu. In December 2007, the Tomozuna stable refused to host him, its stablemaster saying he feared Asashoryu would injure his wrestlers and criticising a tendency to cause pain to assert superiority.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Asashoryu had submitted a medical certificate to avoid a sumo tour but was filmed playing football at a charity event in Mongolia. The JSA imposed a two-tournament suspension and salary reduction.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Tax authorities found that approximately 100 million yen in income had not been correctly declared over several years. An amended return was filed and the corresponding payment made.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Asashoryu circulated a petition among fellow wrestlers supporting an exhibition tour in Mongolia, an initiative regarded as inappropriate under Japan Sumo Association procedures.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Asashoryu left Japan for Mongolia without appropriate permission, missing obligations connected with his former stablemaster's funeral and subsequent training sessions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After drinking, Asashoryu broke a glass door at his stable, prompting police intervention and renewed criticism of the dignity expected of a yokozuna.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After losing to Kyokushuzan, Asashoryu aggressively waved the sagari tassels of his mawashi and stared at him provocatively, prompting a warning.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Asashoryu was disqualified after pulling Kyokushuzan's topknot. The same period also saw a broken car mirror and a narrowly avoided altercation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated