Photo/Illutration Hakuho, right, pumps his fist in celebration after he beat Terunofuji in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Day 15 on July 18. (Kotaro Ebara)

Yokozuna Hakuho finds himself in the crosshairs of the sport's top officials again, for his unorthodox and rough tactics in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament and his celebration afterward.

The Japan Sumo Association’s Yokozuna Deliberation Council on July 19 questioned Hakuho's fighting style, although he hoisted the Emperor's Cup with a perfect 15-0 mark.

Hironori Yano, the council chairman, criticized Hakuho for his tactics for the initial charge against ozeki Shodai on Day 14. Yano said the yokozuna “looked awful” in retreating before the bout started and keeping his distance from his opponent before engaging him.  

He also complained about his vicious “kachiage” forearm thrust into ozeki Terunofuji's face and repeated "harite" (face slaps) in their widely anticipated bout on Day 15 to decide the championship and celebratory fist pump afterward.

JSA Chairman Hakkaku told council members that the association will teach Hakuho how to behave properly. 

On this day, Hakuho defended himself from the criticism over his match with Shodai in an online news conference.

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Yokozuna Hakuho, left, retreats and keeps his distance from ozeki Shodai before the start of their bout in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on July 17. (Kotaro Ebara)

The yokozuna said that he did not want to lose due to his weak initial charge. He explained that he was worried about how his right knee, which was operated on in the spring, would hold up and that he tried avoiding putting pressure on the joint.

Due to frequent absences from recent tournaments, Hakuho's yokozuna rank was at stake in the latest tournament.

But after he racked up 12 straight wins, he thought, “I cleared the hurdle.” He was released from the heavy pressure and became more desperate to win the tournament. 

Hakuho won the Emperor's Cup for the first time since the spring tournament in 2020. 

“I would like to praise myself,” the yokozuna said.  

Just after the 2020 November tournament, he was given a “caution” warning due to his numerous absences, but it was lifted on July 19 by the yokozuna council. 

“His match results were great, but sumo places importance on other things, too. Why can't he understand that?” a frustrated council member said. 

Hakuho, 36, is planning to continue his sumo career for now. But a council member said that they will carefully continue monitoring his behavior.

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