Asashoryu retires

Asashoryu, the third most successful wrestler in sumo history, has retired from the troubled sport after allegations he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo night club last month.

“I am proud of being a Yokozuna,” Asashoryu, 29, said, adding that he was retiring in order to take "responsibility for having caused so much trouble”. He declined to comment about the allegations or his future plans. Unlike many foreign sumo wrestlers, Asashoryu has not taken Japanese citizenship, which precludes him from taking any further part in sumo after his retirement as a wrestler.

Asashoryu, whose real name is Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, made his debut in 1999 and rose quickly, becoming only the third foreigner to become a Yokozuna, following Hawaiians Akebono and Musashimaru. His victory in last month’s tournament was his 25th championship, which places his third on the all-time list behind legends Taiho and Chiyonofuji. Although imperious in the ring, his behavior out of the ring, including scuffles and criticism of other wrestlers, has drawn increasingly negative reactions from coaches, fans and press, who said his actions were not befitting the rank of Yokozuna. He was suspended for two tournaments in 2007 after skipping an exhibition due to injury and later filmed playing soccer in Mongolia with footballer Hidetoshi Nakata.

His retirement leaves sumo once again with a sole Yokozuna, fellow Mongolian Hakuho, and - as stated in an earlier article - comes at a time when the sport is not exactly bursting at the seams with up-and-coming future greats. As Asashoryu was summoned before the sumo association and rumours were circulating that they planned to expel him, it seems to have been a case of jump or be pushed. 

Despite his bad behaviour, Asashoryu remains a very popular wrestler and his retirement is a further blow to a sport already under pressure from waning interest and a lack of home-grown talent.