Harumafuji's retirement far from 'case closed'

"To make respectable sumo wrestlers, I rather think they should take part in social contribution activities -- such as serving at care facilities for the elderly and the disabled when they are young," he said.

It isn't the "young" one's that are the problem, it's the one's who move up in rank who seem to cause all the trouble.

Is there a possibility that Harumafuji will actually do jail time?

It has passed long time since Japanese youngsters decreased joining the sumo world and the sumo association recruited foreign wrestlers. Mongolian wrestlers increased a lot and they became an influential power. They appear understanding the Japanese society and conforming to the traditional world of sumo but they are different at the bottom. They are foreigners. The association will move to decrease numbers of Mongolian and foreign wrestlers. But it will result in losing sumo fans, I am afraid.

. They are foreigners. The association will move to decrease numbers of Mongolian and foreign wrestlers.

The association already decided this, a number of years ago, limiting the number of foreign wrestlers that any stable can recruit.

Japan needs basically to decide whether it wants internationalized sumo, with the variations in behavior that foreigners can bring, or whether it wants Japanese-only sumo with the likes of Goeido and Kotashogiku as Yokozuna.

"Violence is the exact opposite of courtesy. Even if Harumafuji wanted to teach manners to Takanoiwa, using violence was the wrong way to do it," novelist Atsuko Asano said.

These are 130 kg behemoths who run full speed at each other sometimes cracking skulls. What is the J equivalent of Emily Post’s Etiquette? You expect Harumafuji to be courteous?

“Takanoiwa-san, I enjoy and appreciate spending time with you, but when you look like you’re using your phone, it bothers me a bit and I’ve been wondering if it would be at all possible for you to consider not doing that by any chance.

You have a lot of great qualities and...and maybe it's just me, but I would really appreciate it more if you could give us more of your attention. Please don't take offense, I'm only trying to express my feelings . And if you didn't like something I did, I would honestly prefer if you would tell me and keep our line of communication direct and open.”

Takanoiwa would probably punch Harumafuji 40-50 times for making him listen to all that .

The January tournament is completely sold out. This does not seem to have had an impact on the popularity of sumo.

Mongolians are different at the bottom says Shopenhauer. Really?In what way?And at the bottom of what exactly?

Well, the Japanese Sumo Association can try to get rid of the Mongolian wrestlers like they have been doing for years with different unethical tactics and resign themselves to lackluster sumo tournaments with their boring Japanese fat maidens.Good luck!

I have only followed sumo for about a year, but in that time I have grown to respect Harumafuji. The courtliness (for want of a better word) he exhibits in his sumo is something I judge all others by. I am saddened by the news but am grateful to have "found" sumo while he was still wresteling.