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The Financial Express

Japanese sumo champ faces fine over assault

| Updated: January 05, 2018 11:37:30


Sumo grand champion Harumafuji (Reuters Photo) Sumo grand champion Harumafuji (Reuters Photo)

Former sumo grand champion Harumafuji has been fined 500,000 yen ($4,400; £3,280) after being found guilty of assault.

The 33-year-old from Mongolia had admitted hitting a junior wrestler over the head with a karaoke machine remote control during a night out in Tottori in October, according to a BBC report.

He has already apologised and stepped down over the incident.

The case rocked the world of sumo, a hugely popular ceremonial sport.

The assault on fellow Mongolian Takanoiwa happened while they were out drinking with other wrestlers in a bar in the western city.

The grand champion is reported to have been angered that his countryman was checking his phone while being given advice, seeing it as showing a lack of respect.

The latter was admitted to hospital with concussion and a fractured skull.

Two others involved in the incident have faced disciplinary action, and Takanoiwa's stablemaster - as coaches are known - is expected to be demoted for allegedly delaying reporting the incident.

Harumafuji started his career in Japan at the age of 16 and was promoted to grand champion or yokozuna - sumo's highest rank - in 2012.

He released a statement in late December, Reuters reports, saying his life "is now set to be sharply different from what I thought it would be".

"I have a feeling of chagrin, to be honest. But the responsibility is all mine."

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