Photo/Illutration Asanoyama, center, on May 19 during the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan (Kotaro Ebara)

Asanoyama withdrew from the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on May 20 after a magazine reported that the ozeki had frequented an entertainment-style dining establishment in Tokyo during the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Asanoyama, 27, on May 20 admitted to the Japan Sumo Association that part of the Bunshun Online article published the previous day was true, sources said.

Before his bout on May 19, he told JSA officials that the story was “baseless.”

Takasago, Asanoyama’s stablemaster, told reporters that the withdrawal from the tournament “is a suspension because (he) went out when a curfew was imposed.”

Takasago declined to comment on Asanoyama’s initial denial.

To help lower the risk of infection in Japan, the JSA has issued guidelines, including urging wrestlers to refrain from going out for nonessential purposes.

Asanoyama is not the only one who has violated the guidelines.

Wrestler Abi and stablemaster Tokitsukaze, among others, have been punished for disobeying the JSA’s anti-virus rules.

Asanoyama had a record of seven wins and four losses in the summer tournament. The automatic losses resulting from his withdrawal means he will end the tourney with a losing record.

That will likely make him “kadoban” in the next tournament, where he will be under pressure to avoid a demotion.

Abi was suspended for three tournaments after he violated the guidelines by frequenting eateries with entertainment services. He dropped from the top makuuchi division to the lower makushita division.

Related News