Under-fire elder Takanohana questioned at last by JSA

The stablemaster had a lawyer present as he was questioned by the crisis management panel's director, Kagamiyama, and its chairman, former prosecutor Toshio Takano.

If he has nothing to hide, why bring the lawyer? Takanohana is a primadonna and needs to get taken down a few pegs. He was butt-hurt when he wasn't elected to head the association and has been waiting for the chance to embarrass them all.

There are followers appearing to Takanohana in the association. Three stable masters parted from Tokitsukaze group to support Takanohana openly on Dec. 22nd. They have been feeling disgusting about the ill-mannered Mongolian wrestlers and they think the sumo association lead by Hakkaku chairman cannot take strict attitude to Hakuho and Mongolian wrestlers. Hakuho's rough plays of win-first is criticized as unlike Yokozuna. As Mongolian wrestlers increased considerably, they have become arrogant. That may be true but I like strong yokozuna like Asashoryu and Hakuho. Watching sumo of Japanese weak yokozuna is a stress to me. Yokozuna champion must be strong first and must win. Manners next.

 Hakuho's rough plays of win-first is criticized as unlike Yokozuna.

The folks against Hakuho are jealous that an "outsider" has risen to the top and now holds many records. They will continue to nitpick and criticize him for as long as he is a wrestler.

In their minds there will always be an asterisk next to Hakuho's name.

Heesh when will this drama end? Over a month of news over a small assault that happens daily. Just let the sumo organization sort it out by itself and leave Hakuho alone.

Why can’t anyone give them an advice for making up?

Pretty clear what's happening. After Harumafuji assaulted Takanoiwa, the Takanohana stable tried to shake down Harumafuji, and it wasn't until he didn't pay up that Takanoiwa took the case to the cops. Extortion or obstruction of justice - such charges are possible here. In any case, it is sleazy.

Never liked this precocious brat as a wrestler, always preferred wakanohana

They have been feeling disgusting about the ill-mannered Mongolian wrestlers and they think the sumo association lead by Hakkaku chairman cannot take strict attitude to Hakuho and Mongolian wrestlers.

are you forgetting the fact that takanoiwa, who is in takanohana's stable, is also mongolian?

Never liked this precocious brat as a wrestler, always preferred wakanohana

I did. I was a huge fan of both brothers, right from their Takahanada / Wakahanada days, but it was especially Taka that I admired.

What a disappointment he has turned out to be. Precocious brat turned arrogant git. I wonder how Waka is doing these days and what he's up to.

 Harumafuji, and it wasn't until he didn't pay up that Takanoiwa took the case to the cops. Extortion or obstruction of justice - such charges are possible here. In any case, it is sleazy.

No, this is not what happened, Takanohana took him to the cops a few days after the assault. He filed a complaint with the police, and then acted like he knew nothing about it when initially questioned by the association the following Thursday after the complaint was filed.

Harumafuji attempted to contact Takanoiwa to make compensation, but it was Takanohana that refused access to the wrestler.

Not to mention the conflicting doctors reports, and Takanoiwa's participation in the tournament the following day after he was assaulted, showing ZERO signs of any problems as well.

Takanohana NEEDS the lawyer because he is playing games with the sumo association!

I always thought that hakuho looked like he was on roids. Do they even check these guys?

At the end of the day, the whole noise around this buffoonery is just money and power.

I’m watching the story on tv now with my in-laws and, in spite of the elaborate graphics and diverse panel of commentators, none of us can figure out what’s going on.

It’s hard to fathom Takanohana’s motivations as well as those of the sumo association. It looks like there are many facts that are not being disclosed but that doesn’t mean that this situation is all Takanohana’s fault. There’s probably much blame to go around.